Public procurement and sustainable food supply chains – experiences and good examples in Europe

Within the framework of the projects ”Organic food and sustainable food supply chains” and ”Towards a self-sufficient territory”. Refarm Linné is the representative from Sweden of Leader – LAG cooperation in Europe. The Conference toke place in Aizkraukle, Latvia, Leader – LAG’s action groups from Latvia, Slovenia, Poland, Sweden, Finland, Italy and Lithuania shared challenges with Public procurement and best practice in short food supply chains. The focus was on European experiences and good examples of how to facilitate local producers and thereby shorten food chains and make public procurement available.
At the same time, we made study visits to a number of local producers.

Opening conference
During the opening conference, all project partners shared their experiences with public procurement and good examples of how to create sustainable short food supply chains.
In short, it can be stated that all smaller food producers and suppliers in all countries struggles with similar challenges. In the end, the merits of the deal must outweigh the bureaucratic hassle and effort required, which it is not yet perceived to do.

Good examples of shortening the food supply chain

At the same time, there are several good examples of local-regional initiatives that have successfully enabled and promoted more locally produced food in the public sector, which leads to more sustainable and short supply chains. Of course, it also has a positive impact on the degree of local-regional self-sufficiency and a heightened preparedness in the event of crises and disruptions, and on the whole promotes community development, the labor market and service.

Undoubtedly, this type of international exchange is educational and breeds new ideas and future collaborations. It accelerates business development in private producers and suppliers, demonstrates new opportunities for public officials and drives destination development and tourism.

Study visits

Excursion at quail production Olalā
In this small village, a system has been put in place to cultivate and produce on a small scale. The quail farm has a stock of 5,000. As a visitor, you have the opportunity to stay overnight and buy locally produced food with you.

https://www.ievassiers.lv/ – production of cow’s milk cheese.
All cheese produced comes from cows on the own farm. The cheese is made from colostrum directly from the cow and is a high-quality product.

http://www.majassaldejums.lv/ – home ice-cream production.
All ice cream is produced from fresh ingredients by hand in the own factory. It was interesting to get ice cream for the main course – mustard ice cream, very tasty.

A/S Balticovo, https://www.balticovo.lv/en – egg production.
The visit to the large egg producer naturally differed from the smaller producers. It was very impressive to learn how they created their own circular production model. They have control over the entire production chain; grow their own grain for feed that they produce themselves, raise their own chickens, save all the manure that is converted into biofertilizer and biogas.

ZS “Krišjāņi” – production of sheep’s milk cheese, Kāpostnīca – cabbage production cider production from own apple farm.
Fantastic small-scale production that has managed to reach the private market with high-quality products from locally produced raw materials. Sauerkraut production also has an extensive export market.

Summary
This type of international exchange provides valuable experience and opens the eyes to new opportunities. It was with pride that we at refarm Linné showed around this partnership in September 2023 in Småland. In Sweden, we have very successful producers to be proud of, while at the same time we should be humble that there is much to learn from each other around the world.
When it comes to short food supply chains and locally produced food, we have a lot to develop and learn from others. My view is that in several other countries there is still a higher level of craftsmanship and a culture around these issues which means that the degree of self-sufficiency and preparedness is better than it is in Sweden.