Eating local is a political act.
Behind every meal served in a school or hospital canteen lies a choice: whether to buy cheap products from long, anonymous supply chains or to invest in sustainable, local production.
That is the purpose of Green Public Procurement (GPP) — a policy that allows public institutions to steer demand toward low-impact, local, and certified foods.
The Minimum Environmental Criteria (CAM)
In Italy, GPP is governed by the Ministerial Decree of 10 March 2020, which defines the Minimum Environmental Criteria (CAM) for collective catering.
All public tenders for canteens must include mandatory sustainability clauses such as:
- use of organic or certified ingredients (at least 50% for cereals and derivatives);
- regional or national origin to reduce transport emissions;
- seasonal and traceable products;
- sustainable waste and packaging management.
This framework rewards Italian wheat — particularly when organic or locally sourced — making it more competitive in public procurement markets.
Local Wheat in Sustainable Canteens
Several Italian regions have implemented policies to promote local wheat in canteens:
- Tuscany’s “Mense Verdi” project features bread and pasta from regional heritage wheat;
- Emilia-Romagna’s “Cibo Locale” network connects farmer cooperatives to schools via short supply contracts;
- Puglia and Lazio use rural development funds to finance hubs distributing local cereals to public canteens.
These programs shorten supply chains, cut emissions, and strengthen local economies through circular food systems.
Environmental and Economic Benefits
Applying CAM criteria in public catering has measurable results:
- 30–40% fewer CO₂ emissions from transport;
- higher and more stable farm incomes;
- improved nutritional quality through less refined, additive-free flours.
According to ISPRA (2024), full adoption of CAM in Italy’s public canteens could prevent 80,000 tonnes of CO₂ per year and generate over €250 million in local value added.
A Model for Food Governance
Green Public Procurement is not only about contracts — it is about governance.
Each tender becomes a tool to promote sustainable cereal supply chains, foster food education, and support local food sovereignty.
The future of public canteens is not only in what we eat, but in where each grain comes from.
Sources:
- Ministry for the Environment and Energy Security (2020). Minimum Environmental Criteria for Collective Catering.
- ISPRA (2024). Report on the Environmental Impact of GPP in Italy.
- CREA Policy and Bioeconomy (2025). Local Supply Chains and Sustainable Canteens.
- FAO (2023). Public Procurement for Sustainable Food Systems.
- Tuscany Region (2024). “Mense Verdi” Project.