Researchers and practitioners gathered at Umeå universitet on 2026, to discuss how public procurement can be strategically used to create more sustainable and locally anchored food systems. Drawing on experiences from Canada and Sweden, the seminar explored how government purchasing decisions affect public health, regional development, and environmental outcomes throughout the food supply chain.Professor Armando Perez-Cueto emphasized that public procurement should be seen not merely as an administrative function, but as a strategic lever to influence what ends up on the plate, local economies, and sustainability. Professor Laure Saulais presented lessons from Québec, showing that increasing the share of locally produced food requires alternative delivery channels, long-term trust, and coordination among producers, public buyers, and intermediaries.The seminar highlighted that making food “local” is not only a regulatory challenge but also a relational and organizational one, requiring collaboration across sectors and knowledge systems. The discussions underscored the transformative potential of public meal procurement as a lever for sustainable food system transitions.
Source:Umeå universitet
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