School food is an essential service provided by local governments in many countries. School food (or catering services) represents a significant share of the procurement budget of many local governments. Yet how should local government procurers decide which fish should or should not be purchased (because of over fishing)? What kind of strategy might work best for reducing leftovers (plate waste)? What is the best way to involve parents to ensure that their voices are also heard? These are the kinds of questions and discussions taking place between the cities forming part of the City Interest Group on Sustainable School Food Procurement.

The group was formed in March and has since met twice online so that its members can share their experiences (both good and not so good) on how to help improve or transform their school meal service to a service which is both good for people and our planet.

The group brings together eight cities and one school – Ghent (Belgium), Aarhus, Copenhagen (Denmark), Tallinn (Estonia), Helsinki (Finland), Ladzijai (Lithuania), Riga (Latvia), Rybnik (Poland), and Lyceum No. 126 Saint Petersburg - and is coordinated by ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability. The City Interest Group has been formed as part of the EU-funded StratKIT project, which aims to construct sustainability pathways across the Baltic Sea Region by targeting its food and catering purchases.

More information is available here.