Lenie Dwarshuis-van de Beek Rapporteur 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 analyzedEstimated total of existing EU initiatives 300 500

Conference Sustainable Food Supply Chain InowroklawAdvice on documents by NAT Commission in Malta and BrusselsRecommendations 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 locallyIn Europe, 20% of all food is produced locallyWhen performed in a professional way, benefits increase significantly

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

The bigger picture (2)ChallengeGrowth world population 6 9 billionMajority in the urban areaFood production to be doubled and sustainableNot by doubling production area, but by smart systems and advanced grow technology

Local for local on the riseSteady food supply metropolitan areasIndependency important issue in food strategies Jobs, environmental quality, health

New objectives Local Food SystemsLFS as a part of a multifaceted complex of food systemsPartial food independency on the regional level securedEconomic, environmental and social up-to-date challengesAdded value / quality / healthProfessionalized: cooperatives and Public Private PartnershipsJobs, 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 productionLess food milesEco-awareness local community / childrenPositive 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 elsewhereJobs available in agriculture, processing, distribution, logistics, packaging, marketing, sales, services, waste management, bio-energy production .

Social advantagesPartial food independency for the region, partial food sovereigntyMutual understanding between producers and consumers, direct contactCommunity sense and identityRoom for traditions and cultural heritageContribution 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 circumstancesin general: up to 30-50 milesin exceptional cases: up to 1000 miles

Upscaling possibilities:Local = regionalLocal 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 storageSmart systems for logistics and distribution Sustainable sources of energyRe-use of organic waste into energy, feed or fertilizer Re-use of residues like packaging, water, heatSmart 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 partnershipsTo be supported and monitored by local and regional authoritiesTo be involved in local and regional policy and in public procurement tenderships

Recommendations for kick-start (1)Adopt the definitions suggested by the Committee of the Regions, create voluntary logo or symbol for Local Food System (LFS)Add LFS to the Agriculture Product Quality Policy / RegulationOblige memberstates to add a position on LFS in their Rural Development strategy 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 marketingOffer support for developing local food systems; primary investments, tools, education6.Offer tools for involving qualified local food in public procurement7. Give local and regional authorities responsibility for developing and managing public aspects of LFS8. Support local and regional authorities by providing guidebooks, roadmaps and best practices

Main worry: how to maintain a logoA Local food product logo helps in attracting customersBut 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 websiteMust explain on the website about the short supply chain and quality aspects; the story behind the productsMust publish all customers comments on the website, be open to criticismMust exploit a physical point of saleLRA only check presence of point of sale and websiteSocial 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 AGRIPresenting the document to EU institutionsCheck new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) legislative proposalsInput on Agriculture Quality PolicyInput on Green Public Procurement PolicyInput on Green Paper on Promotion / Information measures

Additional options:Sending out the document to experts, networks and initiators of current LFS projectsStakeholder meetings, eventsMeeting with EU Rural Development NetworkLearning by doing

European Commission GPP Training ToolkitModule 3 - Purchasing recommendationsFood and catering services

ScopeThese recommendations cover the purchase of food and catering servicesSpecifications 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 - FoodCore 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 servicesCore 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.

ConclusionsLocal / short supply chain is an important issueLinked to resource management, waste management, health, regional economy, climate change:Producing close to consumers is a mustThere are many succesful local initiativesThe topic is finding its way in EU policyBut not yet in national and regional policy Keep up the good work !!!