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.

News

EU Public Procurement Reform: Six Recommendations to Strengthen Its Social and Environmental Dimension

EU Public Procurement Reform: Six Recommendations to Strengthen Its Social and Environmental Dimension

Public procurement can be a powerful tool for promoting more socially and environmentally responsible supply chains. To strengthen this role under the new Public Procurement Act, the IWGEPP calls for greater weight to be given to social and environmental criteria, the integration of human rights and environmental due diligence into procurement procedures, and increased supply chain transparency. Its recommendations also include a clearer link with the CSDDD and the subject matter of contracts, alongside EU-level guidance and model contract clauses to support contracting authorities in practice.

read more
EU public procurement: Commission unveils reform with stronger focus on quality, sustainability and European preference

EU public procurement: Commission unveils reform with stronger focus on quality, sustainability and European preference

On 9 September 2026, the European Commission presented its proposal for a new European Regulation on public contracts and concessions, launching a far-reaching review of the regulatory framework governing public procurement across the European Union. The proposal aims to replace the three 2014 Directives – on public procurement, utilities and concessions – with a single Regulation directly applicable in all Member States, with the objective of simplifying and bringing greater coherence to a system that the Commission itself considers overly complex and fragmented.

read more
Introducing Con Criterio, the new video podcast exploring how sustainability decisions are made

Introducing Con Criterio, the new video podcast exploring how sustainability decisions are made

How are the decisions that drive the ecological transition made? Who defines the criteria guiding public procurement, the circular economy and sustainability policies? Con Criterio – How Sustainability Decisions Are Made is the new video podcast by Fondazione Ecosistemi and EconomiaCircolare.com, bringing together experts, public institutions, businesses and researchers to explore the decision-making processes behind a more sustainable future. Through eleven conversations, the series reveals how today’s choices can generate lasting value for the environment, the economy and society.

read more