FAO report on Public Food Procurement for Sustainable Food Systems and Healthy Diets

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Author: Sustain Ontario

Posted: February 15, 2022

Categories: GoodFoodBites / Local Procurement / School Food News / Schools

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations has published a report on how sustainable public procurement is a key instrument to work towards the
achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, Public Food Procurement for Sustainable Food Systems and Healthy Diets (Volume 1 & Volume 2).

The publication’s abstract explains, “Sustainable Public Food Procurement (PFP) represents a key game changer for food systems transformation. It can influence both food consumption and food production patterns. It can deliver multiple social, economic, and environmental benefits towards sustainable food systems for healthy diets.”

The report highlights the use of public food procurement as a development tool in particular in the case of school meals programs.

The report argues that public food procurement can provide a market for local and smallholder farmers, promote the conservation and sustainable use of agrobiodiversity, and improve the nutrition and health of children and communities.

We encourage you to read the report on the FAO website here.