How school canteens can support a healthy, just, and sustainable European food system

On 12 March, three inspiring speakers showed how school canteens can change and integrate sustainability criteria –in urban, rural and semi-urban areas. 

An NGO coalition we are part of, the Buy Better Food coalition, organised a session showing public food procurement’s power in fostering healthy, just, and sustainable European food systems at the Open Food Conference. hosted by the Belgian Presidency to. 

We heard from 3 amazing speakers, telling us about their journeys to transform school canteens:  

• Vincent Demaison from the Dordogne region, in the South-West of France told us about a local programme ensuring 100% organic food in schools. It re-connects children to the food they eat, thanks to a circular approach and a rich network of local farmers engaging with them; 
• Orsolya Diófási-Kovács from the city of Budapest in Hungary told us about the city’s work identifying levers to integrate sustainability in their schools’ food procurement and presented us the key points; 
• Finally, Tamara Bruning from the Belgian city Ghent presented its ambitious strategy implementing their innovative buyer platform, allowing small-scale farmers to access the city’s public procurement.  

Peter Defranceschi of the Local Governments for Sustainability (ICLEI) linked these real-life experiences to the Buy Better Food coalition’s Manifesto for establishing minimum standards for school canteens.  

As European organic movement we are part of the coalition because sourcing organically is a way in which institutions can advance their sustainability and promote the development of environmentally friendly and sustainable agriculture and food practices.  

For more information on this issue, have a look at: 

• The EU Food Policy Coalition’s Sustainable Public Procurement of food: A goal within reach, 
• Our leaflet Making organic products in sustainable public procurement happen, 
• Our infographics (available in multiple languages): 
  1. Overall benefits: Benefits of Sustainable Public Procurement, 
  2. Why policymakers should consider investing in sustainable public procurement, 
• The work of the Buy Better Food coalition, campaigning for sustainable food on the public plate, and 
• The SchoolFood4Change project that will provide innovative solutions and tailored, locally adaptable good practices for schools, school meal providers, public authorities, and policymakers, in line with the EU’s Farm to Fork Strategy. 

Could not find what you were looking for? Visit our food policy webpage and scroll down to “Food policy: Sustainable Public Procurement” or contact [email protected]. Do note that we prioritise our members’ requests. 

We invite our members to translate the infographics we have created. The source materials for this are available on our member extranet > hot topics > Sustainable Food Systems > Sustainable Public Procurement. For information about what you can gain from being a member, read our membership page and contact [email protected].