This briefing note explains how public procurement can contribute to the progressive realization of the human right to adequate food, and how it already
does so in a number of countries.

As a council responsible for providing over 1.3 million school meals a year, East Ayrshire has a lot on its hands. A growing awareness of the health, environmental, social and economic impacts of those meals led it to adopt a new procurement strategy in 2008. The focus was to be on fresh, unprocessed and organic ingredients. An EU-level tender incorporated all these elements, and has had lead to increase take up of school meals as well as other positive results. Independent research carried out by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency indicated that the CO2 emission savings associated with the change in food sourcing for one school alone amounts to 37.7 tonnes per annum. East Ayrshire was also the winner of an Association for Public Service Excellence award in 2011.

This briefing note explains how public procurement can contribute to the progressive realization of the human right to adequate food, and how it already does so in a number of countries. It describes why public procurement matters for food and nutrition security strategies, and what it can achieve. It identifies which kind of public procurement should be encouraged, based upon country examples, and identifies five key principles that should be integrated into public procurement schemes and modalities, such as the need to target vulnerable groups; support food accessibility and adequate diets; ensure environmental sustainability; and include participation, accountability and empowerment as strong features of public procurement schemes. It reviews frequently cited ‘obstacles’ to the implementation of some of these principles, including budgetary constraints, institutional and legal issues, and demonstrates that there is room to develop ambitious public procurement policies and programmes. It also addresses potential constraints presented by the WTO Government Procurement Agreement. It ends with a number of recommendations to policy-makers.

Austria’s Federal Procurement Agency (BBG) set up a national framework contract for dairy products to supply around 350 kitchens in public organisations. Market analysis was conducted before tendering and the BBG set up working groups to decide upon the food criteria. Early market engagement activities included holding discussions with dairy producers and associations. Procurement objectives included; the consideration of organic and non-GM products, the inclusion of smaller dairy producers from the region and value for money. The contract was divided into lots and criteria aimed to encourage more natural food production methods. It was specified that 15% of listed items must be of organic origin and the most basic of the dairy products were required to comply with Austria’s action plan on sustainable procurement. 10% of the award criteria was weighted on the quantity of non-GMO products and as a result the current contract now provides 90% GMO-free goods. Contractors are also required to have and maintain an IFS certification or equivalent.

The Guide for sustainable procurement of services contains more detailed information about the issues to consider when procuring services, such as financial, best practice performance criteria that can be used in approaches to market and possible contract requirements. Other specific product and service guides are expected to be published throughout 2013.

The City of Vancouver has been working to support a just and sustainable food system since 2003 in partnership with the Vancouver Food Policy Council and countless community organizations. The City’s commitment to creating a just and
sustainable food system builds on food systems initiatives and grassroots community development that dates back decades in our city and province.

The Federal Government supports the certification of sustainably managed forests and will use only wood from certified stands in its procurement measures.
In addition to the above-mentioned awarding and contracting codes, the following must be complied with when procuring wood products.

This guide provides an analytical description of celebrations, their participants and the design of the celebration site. It gives ideas and examples on ways of reducing the environmental impact of any type of celebration, as well as suggestions for financing environmental activities and raising the awareness of the persons attending.