ProVeg urges EU to recognize food as a strategic sector as consultation on public procurement closes
Food awareness organization, ProVeg International, today calls on the EU to use its €50 billion public procurement budget strategically to strengthen food security and deliver on health and environmental goals.
A consultation on the public procurement framework, which accounts for about 14% – 15% of EU GDP and delivers meals to schools, hospitals and nursing homes across the bloc, officially closed today (26 January).
“EU public procurement is a central lever for building a more resilient agrifood system which benefits EU farmers, the environment, consumers and public authorities alike,” Lucia Hortelano, EU Senior Policy Manager at ProVeg, said.
“With the closure of the consultation, we now urge the European Commission to realize the largely untapped potential of public procurement to drive the transition towards a healthier and more sustainable food system.”
ProVeg advocates for using food procurement to increase the demand and accessibility for organic and plant-based food products. This would help create stable market opportunities for EU farmers and act as a tool for consumers -especially children- to form healthier eating habits.
As the EU prepares for the revision of its public procurement Directives, ProVeg is specifically calling on the Commission to move beyond the “lowest price” criterion and integrate mandatory sustainability requirements to shape a more resilient food system that directly delivers on the EU’s own health, climate, and food security goals.
ProVeg has laid out three key asks to the Commission:
- Recognize the food sector as a strategic instrument;
- Strengthen the sustainability approach to food procurement, moving beyond the lowest price as the primary criterion to prioritize quality and sustainability.
- Introduce minimum mandatory requirements for food and food services, to ensure a harmonized and effective implementation across all Member States.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
For general media inquiries, email Peter Rixon at [email protected].
For scientific data about the benefits of plant-based eating, see our Food System Data website.
About ProVeg International
Our vision is a world where the food we eat is good for all people, animals, and our planet.
Our mission is to accelerate the transition to a sustainable global food system by making plant-rich foods and alternative proteins more accessible and appealing.
