Lenie Dwarshuis-van de Beek Rapporteur on the outlook opinion on Local Food Systems Committee of the Regions Rururbal, 24 November 2011.

Lenie Dwarshuis-van de BeekRapporteur on the outlook opinion on

“ Local Food Systems”Committee of the Regions

Rururbal, 24 November 2011

Why this outlook opinion?Origin: Request Commissioner Ciolos

Steps taken:Survey performed by NAT secretariat of the CoR: 120 European Local Food System-initiatives analyzed Estimated total of existing EU initiatives 300 – 500

Conference Sustainable Food Supply Chain Inowroklaw Advice on documents by NAT Commission in Malta and

Brussels Recommendations from experts and expert networks Advice adopted by CoR and offered to EC

The bigger picture (1)Traditional Local Food Systems Globally, 80% of all food is produced locally In Europe, 20% of all food is produced locally When performed in a professional way, benefits increase

significantly

Prices Consumerprices > 3,3% Prices paid to farmers > 2,1% Production costs > 3,6% a year

The bigger picture (2)Challenge Growth world population 6 – 9 billion Majority in the urban area Food production to be doubled and sustainable Not by doubling production area, but by smart systems and

advanced grow technology

Local for local on the rise Steady food supply metropolitan areas Independency important issue in food strategies Jobs, environmental quality, health

New objectives” Local Food Systems LFS as a part of a multifaceted complex of food systems Partial food independency on the regional level secured Economic, environmental and social up-to-date

challenges Added value / quality / health Professionalized: cooperatives and Public Private

Partnerships Jobs, use of ICT and new media, innovative concepts,

knowledge exchange

> Development task for Local and Regional authorities

Environmental advantagesIn spite of a growing demand for food worldwide:

Combining food production, organic waste management, bio-energy production

Less food miles Eco-awareness local community / children Positive side – effects for biodiversity Bio-energy possibilities

Economic advantagesFor farmers:

Local food systems help restore fair prices

For the community: Revenue for the local community of income spent locally

on locally produced food is 3 times the revenue of income spent on food produced elsewhere

Jobs available in agriculture, processing, distribution, logistics, packaging, marketing, sales, services, waste management, bio-energy production ….

Social advantages Partial food independency for the region,

partial food sovereignty Mutual understanding between producers

and consumers, direct contact Community sense and identity Room for traditions and cultural heritage Contribution to a healthy community / fight

obesity

Local Food Systems defined (1)The shortest food chain possible and feasable:

1. The local producer –

2. Optional party or parties (local processor) – (producer cooperative or local trader /

distributor) – (consumer cooperative) – (locally buying retailer)

3. The local consumer

Local Food Systems defined (2)The shortest fysical distance between producer and

consumer possible and feasable:

distance depends on product and circumstances in general: up to 30-50 miles in exceptional cases: up to 1000 miles

Upscaling possibilities: Local = regional Local Food Systems can cooperate in an EU network

Local Food Systems defined (3)Food involved is produced in an integrated system, that also

looks into: Smart and sustainable means of transportation and storage Smart systems for logistics and distribution Sustainable sources of energy Re-use of organic waste into energy, feed or fertilizer Re-use of residues like packaging, water, heat Smart solutions for marketing, promotion, communication Quality aspects, such as health and taste

Local Food Systems defined (4)Key factor for the rural economy and regional

governance:

To be established by local and regional private partnerships

To be supported and monitored by local and regional authorities

To be involved in local and regional policy and in public procurement tenderships

Recommendations for kick-start (1)1. Adopt the definitions suggested by the Committee of the

Regions, create voluntary logo or symbol for Local Food System (LFS)

2. Add LFS to the Agriculture Product Quality Policy / Regulation

3. Oblige memberstates to add a position on LFS in their Rural Development strategy

4. Ask the European Rural Development Network to act as an information keeper and knowledge broker, e.g. by creating a database

Recommendations for kick-start (2)5. Offer a support scheme for promotion and marketing

Offer support for developing local food systems; primary investments, tools, education

6. Offer tools for involving qualified local food in public procurement

7. Give local and regional authorities responsibility for developing and managing public aspects of LFS

8. Support local and regional authorities by providing guidebooks, roadmaps and best practices

Main worry: how to maintain a logo A “Local food product” logo helps in attracting customers But is it impossible to check on authenticity and quality

Therefore: Anyone is free to claim being a “Local food distributor”, but: He or she must have an interactive website Must explain on the website about the short supply chain and quality

aspects; the story behind the products Must publish all customers comments on the website, be open to criticism Must exploit a physical point of sale LRA only check presence of point of sale and website Social media steer the success of the vendor; bad guys lose confidence,

good guys develop their market

2011: What more did we do? Meeting with Dacian Ciolos / DG AGRI Presenting the document to EU institutions Check new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) legislative proposals Input on Agriculture Quality Policy Input on Green Public Procurement Policy Input on Green Paper on Promotion / Information measures

Additional options: Sending out the document to experts, networks and initiators of current

LFS projects Stakeholder meetings, events Meeting with EU Rural Development Network Learning by doing

European CommissionEuropean Commission GPP Training ToolkitGPP Training Toolkit

Module 3 - Purchasing recommendationsModule 3 - Purchasing recommendations

Food and catering services

ScopeThese recommendations cover the purchase of food and catering services

Specifications are proposed for the following range of products:

- fruit and vegetables; - aquaculture, marine,

meat and dairy products; - drinks and beverages; - as well as for the

performance of relevant catering services.

Purchasing criteria - Food

Core criteria - focus on: Organic production methods and packaging

waste.

Comprehensive criteria - focus in addition on: Aspects such as the procurement of food

produced according to Integrated Production standards and animal welfare

Purchasing criteria - Catering services Core criteria - focus on:

Organic food, waste minimisation and selective collection.

Comprehensive criteria - focus in addition on: Environmental selection criteria, the use of

paper and cleaning products, kitchen equipment, nutrition etc.

Conclusions Local / short supply chain is an important issue Linked to resource management, waste

management, health, regional economy, climate change:

Producing close to consumers is a must There are many succesful local initiatives The topic is finding it’s way in EU policy But not yet in national and regional policy … Keep up the good work !!!