Farmer Involvement in the Circular School Food System

In the Baltic Sea region, food waste remains a pressing environmental and social concern. Every year, Lithuania alone discards approximately 50,000 tonnes of edible food, while Poland generates over 4.8 million tonnes of food waste. Schools—where large-scale meal preparation and diverse dietary needs intersect—are both significant contributors to this waste stream and prime venues for meaningful intervention. For example, in Finland up to 17 percent of meals served in school canteens are thrown away.

Public Food Procurement—the process by which government bodies and public institutions purchase food—offers a powerful lever to transform these wasteful practices into circular, sustainable systems. By prioritizing local, seasonal, and ecologically produced foods, Public Food Procurement (PFP) can:

• Provide reliable markets for local and smallholder farmers, helping them plan and invest with confidence
• Promote the conservation and sustainable use of agrobiodiversity, safeguarding local varieties and traditional practices
• Improve nutrition and health outcomes for children and communities by ensuring meals meet high standards of quality and diversity

Are you involved in public food procurement and committed to sustainable agriculture, vibrant rural communities, and healthier school meals? Do you believe that procurement policies should empower farmers and strengthen local food systems? Join us for an interactive online workshop focused on Sustainable Public Food Procurement (PFP), where we’ll examine how procurement strategies can enable local and smallholder farmers to supply circular school food systems—models that are environmentally sustainable, socially inclusive, and economically resilient.

Are you passionate about sustainable agriculture, vibrant rural communities, and healthier school meals?

Do you believe that farmers should play a key role in shaping the future of school food systems?

Then don’t miss this interactive online workshop, where we’ll explore how local and smallholder farmers can contribute to building circular school food systems—models that are sustainable, inclusive, and resilient.

🎤 Keynote Speaker

We are proud to welcome Mr. Mark Stein, Research Associate at the University of Salford (UK), who will deliver a keynote address on:

“Sustainable Public Food Procurement (PFP) and Its Impact on Farmers and Communities”

His talk will focus on how public procurement can:

• Provide reliable markets for local and smallholder farmers

• Promote the conservation and sustainable use of agrobiodiversity

• Improve nutrition and health outcomes for children and communities

💬 Roundtable Discussion

Following the keynote, a roundtable session with agricultural and food system experts will explore:

• Challenges in supplying schools with organic and local products

• Opportunities to strengthen small-scale farmers in local value chains

• Concrete policy recommendations from farmers to support regional food systems

Whether you’re a farmer, educator, policymaker, or a food system innovator—your voice matters.

🌍 Be part of the conversation. Help shape the future of school food.

Register now and join us in creating more sustainable, inclusive school food systems!