Using Public Food Procurement To Promote Organic Production And Consumption: The Role Of The Regulatory Framework For Multiple Policy Goals

Summary

"Public Food Procurement Programmes (PFPP), including school feeding, are receiving increasing attention as an important policy instrument with the potential to deliver multiple benefits for multiple beneficiaries, including food consumers, food producers and local communities. A key characteristic of PFPP is that it has the possibility – based on sound policy and regulatory frameworks - to determine not only the way food is produced and procured, but, in particular (i) what food will be purchased (such as local, socio and bio-diverse, nutritious, healthy, culturally appropriate); (ii) from whom (e.g. from local and/or family farming producers, small and medium food enterprises, women, youth and/or other vulnerable groups); and (iii) from which type of production (e.g. from agricultural production that ensure environmental sustainability as well as biodiversity). In doing so, IFPP has considerable potential to influence both food consumption and food production patterns, contributing to the transformation of local food systems. Building on the existing literature on food procurement and on two countries experiences this chapter examines the multiple benefits that PFPP has the potential to achieve with a focus on the promotion of organic production and consumption. It will also analyze key enabling and constraining conditions, focusing on the role of conducive regulatory frameworks. "