The European Commission published on 15 September the proposal to revise the European Union's public procurement framework, recognizing food as a key sector where quality and sustainability considerations are important. The proposal changes several aspects, including the adoption of the best price-quality ratio as the default award criterion, replacing the lowest price approach. It also introduces the obligation for public authorities to consider dividing contracts into lots, aimed at improving access for small suppliers and farmers.
ProVeg Portugal, an organization that maintains partnerships with municipalities and national institutions to promote more sustainable offerings in public canteens, considered these points positive but argued that the proposal could go further. The association proposes that environmental, social, and health considerations could be made mandatory in public procurement processes.
At the national level, ProVeg Portugal launched this year a guide with recommendations for specifications, focused on promoting more sustainable menus and public procurement. Joana Oliveira, National Director of ProVeg Portugal, highlighted that public spending on food in
