Manifesto for establishing minimum standards for public canteens across the EU

12 January 2023

The Sustainable Food Procurement manifesto, promoted by the Buy Better Food Campaign, calls for a minimum standard for public canteens across the EU as part of implementing the Farm to Fork strategy. It contains precise targets, procurement tender criteria, verification and enablers for seven actionable target areas which go beyond ‘green’ (or environmentally friendly) public procurement (GPP): healthy food; organic and other agro-ecological practices; support for small-scale farmers; climate action; social economy and labour rights; fair trade; and animal welfare.

The Manifesto is an inspiration for policy makers at all levels of government. On 11 October 2022, during a key event at the European Committee of the Regions in Brussels, the Manifesto was handed over to Alexandra Nikolakopoulou, Head of Unit for the Farm to Fork strategy at the European Commission. The Manifesto is endorsed by several expert organisations, and local and regional governments from around Europe.

If you are a European local or regional government who would like to become an endorser of the Manifesto, email HERE!

Manifesto for establishing minimum standards for public canteens across the EU

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From schools to the supply chain: how school catering leads the green turn in Europe

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School catering is a candidate to become one of the drivers of the ecological transition of food systems in Europe. This will be discussed on 15th May at the Compraverde Buygreen Forum in Rome, during the international meeting ‘School catering promoting the ecological and just transition of local food systems in Europe’. The event, realised in collaboration with the European project SchoolFood4Change, will bring together institutions, schools and operators from different countries to discuss the most effective strategies to reduce the environmental impact of the local food supply chain, promote short supply chains, ensure social equity and disseminate good practices and innovative policies.

Sustainable food at school: the global approach that changes food systems

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Transforming the food system starting from schools. This is the challenge at the centre of the meeting ‘The Global Approach to School Food’, scheduled for 15th May 2025 at the Compraverde Buygreen Forum in Rome. An appointment that focuses on one of the most promising levers for promoting healthy and sustainable lifestyles: food education integrated into the daily practices of schools. The methodology presented, the Whole School Food Approach (WSFA), was born within the European project SchoolFood4Change and is proposed as a concrete tool to rethink school food. It is not just a question of improving the meals served in the canteen, but of involving the entire school ecosystem: from participatory governance, to teaching, to the relationship with the local area and families.

Ignoring health in public procurement: can we still afford it?

Ignoring health in public procurement: can we still afford it?

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