Many organizations provide food for their employees, visitors, students, patients, etc., either independently or through an external service provider. As a purchaser, you have a significant influence on the environmental impact of this food. This impact can be influenced by both the choice of products offered and by reducing food waste. Considering the social aspect of this product group is also important. Offer producers fair prices and consider employing individuals with barriers to the job market. Additionally, the food offering can serve as a means to raise awareness among consumers about sustainable and healthy nutrition.
If you intend to make your current food offering more circular, effective communication is crucial. The saying "the way to a person's heart is through their stomach" certainly applies here. Through effective communication, people can be informed and inspired to choose sustainable and healthy food options.
An important distinction relates to:
An essential step in reducing food waste is to measure it. Collect data to map the current food waste and critically review the available data. Distinguish between waste during preparation, spoiled food, and leftovers. This information forms the basis for an action plan.
The first step is prevention: try to align the quantity of purchases with actual consumption as much as possible. If there is still food left, consider how to use it in a high-value way. Think of processing leftovers into dishes for the next day, giving away prepared meals to customers or staff, using platforms like "Too Good To Go," or other alternative systems. You can also use the food as animal feed. This way, you prevent food from being reduced to waste. Referring to the Guideline: Food Waste in Government Organizations can be helpful. This guideline includes clauses that you can include in your service contracts.
Not all labels have the same reliability and relevance. It is important to critically assess which labels you specifically request and whether they align well with the requirements of the contract. Additionally, it is essential to ensure that there are enough products available on the market that meet the requested labels. Demonstrating that equivalent products with similar sustainability features can be accepted is also important. In 2019, the federal government conducted an assessment of various certifications in the context of public procurement regulations.
Information about circular procument and example cases per specific product category.