Manifesto for establishing minimum standards for public canteens across the EU

On International School Meals Day 2026, SchoolFood4Change proudly unveils Green Spoon – Good Food for Planet and Community, a new European and easy-to-use online tool designed to measure the environmental and health impact of school meals. At a time when food systems are gaining increased attention for their potential to address climate change, biodiversity protection and public health, the Green Spoon tool offers a concrete solution cities have long needed: a way to translate sustainability ambitions into measurable outcomes. Green Spoon was developed by Fondazione Ecosistemi in collaboration with cities from the SF4C network.

The European debate on public procurement is moving beyond slogans and into substance. The core question is no longer simply how to support European industry, but which principle should guide public spending: geographic preference or environmental performance. An article published by EconomiaCircolare.com highlights the position of the European Environmental Bureau (EEB), set out in its paper “Made with EU Green Criteria. Why ‘Buying Sustainable’ can future-proof EU industry.” According to the EEB, prioritising “Buy European” purely on the basis of origin may not be sufficient. The real issue is not where products are made, but how they are made and which environmental and social standards they meet.

On 27 and 28 May 2026, Forum Compraverde Buygreen returns to Rome at WeGil. It is the leading national and European event dedicated to Green Public Procurement (GPP) and sustainable purchasing policies, promoted by Fondazione Ecosistemi. The 2026 edition marks both a symbolic and substantive milestone: the 20th edition of the States General of Green Public Procurement, taking place at a crucial moment for Europe, as the revision of the EU Public Procurement Directive and the reshaping of European industrial and climate policies are underway. The 2026 concept translates into two days, twenty thematic events and twenty concrete solutions: an operational atlas of the transition, not simply a conference programme.