Green Deal Sustainable Canteens
The Cellule Manger Demain, dedicated to the food transition in Wallonia, accompanies canteens, supports food relocation, and facilitates access to sustainable food. As part of the ASBL SOCOPRO with the Collège des Producteurs, it strengthens the link between production and food, supported by Wallonia.
Overview of the project
Supporting sustainable canteens is a solution to rethink our food system and make it more resilient, inclusive and sustainable. With this objective, Wallonia wants to mobilize collective catering stakeholders around these issues via the Sustainable Canteens Green Deal.
Every day, 200,000 hot meals are served in collective catering in Wallonia. This is a major challenge given the quantities produced, the diversity of audiences affected, the capacity to disseminate change and the multidimensional approach. The project therefore aims to experiment, promote and develop sustainable food in community kitchens of all types (schools, hospitals, prisons, retirement homes, nurseries, company restaurants, etc.).
It is based on the objectives of the Framework “towards a sustainable food system in Wallonia” by working with local and seasonal products; being fair; being respectful of the environment and animal welfare; being healthy, balanced and tasty meals; accessible and inclusive; reducing food waste and waste.
By committing to the project, the canteens are pursuing a dual objective: the relocation of their supply and obtaining the Sustainable Cantines Label (an official recognition issued in Wallonia). To achieve this, they benefit from 18 months of support from the Cellule Manger Demain to remove the obstacles encountered, for example via on-site expertise, collective training, the support of a lawyer on public markets or even via the dissemination of good practices that emerge from the community of project signatories. Financial assistance is also offered, particularly for the relocation of the base.
Significantly increase the sustainability of meals served in mass catering (200,000 meals/day in Wallonia).
Ongoing research
9/01/2019 – Project still in progress
- 333 canteens supported, i.e. ≈ 60,500 meals/day which shift towards more sustainability.
- 40 certified canteens.
- A boost to the relocation of the plate: financing of 50% of expenditure on local products and 70% of expenditure on organic-local products (capped at €0.5/meal). In 2023, 234 canteens benefited from this aid. The relocated food represents a transaction amount of €1,490,544.80. This directly impacts 3,924,399 meals/year and affects a total of 17,586 users.
- Energy costs: assistance offered to canteens to replace obsolete/energy-intensive kitchen equipment. Allows energy gains of up to 20,000 kWh/year (i.e. savings of €1000 to €3000).
In 2023, 25 collective training courses and 71 individual assessments organized.
- The project is known in the sector: the requests are numerous and the results tangible. Local suppliers are also stepping in, seeing canteens as a serious outlet.
- The support offered by the Unit is widely appreciated (essential success factor).
- Wide dissemination of good practices between signatories.
- Some deliverables:
– Study on supply and demand (real needs of canteens vs. available local products). - – Connecting actors.
– Creation of the guide for a sustainable public food market (validated by the SPW).
– Co-creation of advocacy for a renovated public procurement framework.
– Creation of a traveling exhibition to raise awareness/raise awareness.
– Adaptation of the Cantines Durables Label to include sandwich-type takeaway offers
Financial support from Wallonia allows the Cellule Manger Demain to offer support to signatories of the Green Deal Sustainable Canteens, under the strategic coordination of the SPW, Sustainable Development Department.
organisation
The Cellule Manger Demain, within the SOCOPRO non-profit organization, is carrying out this project in close collaboration with the SPW Sustainable Development Department, and in liaison with all the Walloon structures capable of enriching this project. These include the Collège des producteurs, APQ-W, Biowallonie, FCCWB (Fédération des Cuisines de Collectivité Wallonie-Bruxelles), and many others. The culture of collaboration and partnership is part of the Cellule’s DNA, and every action launched follows the identification of what is already being done in this field and the structures involved, in order to clearly identify possible complementarities and reinforcements.
The Cellule Manger Demain, within the SOCOPRO non-profit association, is carrying out this project in close collaboration with the Sustainable Development Department of the SPW and in conjunction with all Walloon structures capable of enriching this project. These include the College of Producers, the APQ-W, Biowallonie, the FCCWB (Fédération des Cuisines de Collectivité Wallonie-Brussels), and many others. The culture of collaboration and partnership is inscribed in the DNA of the Cell and each action launched follows the identification of what is already being done in this area and the structures that invest in it in order to clearly identify possible complementarities and reinforcements.