Joint letter to the EU Commission: more than 15 European organisations call for sustainable public food procurement

18 January 2024

Sustainable food procurement, as shown by countless studies and good practices across Europe, is an effective mechanism to promote healthy diets, fight malnutrition, combat food insecurity, foster the demand for fair and organic products and support small-scale farmers. All while maintaining stable costs.

A transition to more sustainable, healthier, and affordable diets is not only something that has been promised to EU citizens, but is also critical to combating climate change.

That’s why, 15+ organisations, sent an open letter to President Ursula von der Leyen and Commissioners EU with one clear message: let’s use public food procurement to provide more sustainable and healthier food.

The European organisations, including Fondazione Ecosistemi for Italy, call to clearly define the areas for the future development of minimum mandatory sustainable food procurement criteria and, in particular, to include these 4 strategic minimum standards:

  • The achievable target of 20% organic products
  • A minimum of 10% of food products coming from small-scale producers
  • A culturally-appropriate, planet-friendly food procurement and education based on less animal protein
  • An EU minimum standard on healthy school meals combined with food education

 

Read the letter and join us in advocating for healthier and fairer food systems.

Social media

News

EU public procurement reform: what changes for Green Public Procurement?

EU public procurement reform: what changes for Green Public Procurement?

A single Regulation to replace the three 2014 Directives, greater weight for quality, and new provisions for green and strategic procurement. On 9 September, the European Commission presented its proposal to reform the EU framework for public procurement and concessions, introducing changes also in relation to environmental and social criteria, monitoring and European preference. The proposal now enters the legislative process involving the European Parliament and the Council. Here are the main developments for Green Public Procurement and the next steps in the reform.

From Forum Compraverde Buygreen comes Con Criterio, the video podcast exploring how sustainability decisions are made

From Forum Compraverde Buygreen comes Con Criterio, the video podcast exploring how sustainability decisions are made

The ideas and discussions that shape Forum Compraverde Buygreen continue beyond the event itself. This is where Con Criterio – How Sustainability Decisions Are Made, the new video podcast by Fondazione Ecosistemi and EconomiaCircolare.com, comes to life: eleven conversations with experts, public institutions, businesses and researchers exploring how the decisions that drive the ecological transition take shape. An invitation to better understand the processes, expertise and choices that turn sustainability goals into concrete action.

Public Food as a Climate Lever: The Rome Model Cuts Emissions by Up to 33%

Public Food as a Climate Lever: The Rome Model Cuts Emissions by Up to 33%

School meals can become a powerful tool for climate action. This is the key finding of an analysis carried out by Fondazione Ecosistemi in collaboration with the Climate Office of Rome Capital on the city’s new public school catering contract. By increasing plant-based menus, organic products and local supply chains, the Rome model is able to reduce emissions associated with school catering by up to 33%, while generating environmental, social and economic benefits.