This session, hosted in September 2026, focused on “Public procurement for schools and the role of SFSCs”, exploring how sustainable public procurement and school meals can support local food systems, sustainability, public health and community involvement.

Event agenda
“Criteria for Sustainable Public Procurement (SPP) for food, food services, and vending machines”, Giulia Listorti, Deputy Head of Food Security at JRC, and Dr Aurora Perez-Cornago, Scientific Officer at the JRC
“A kitchen in the community: can we localise school meals in Ireland to benefit health, environment, and livelihoods?”, Ruth Hegarty, Director of Food Policy Ireland
“From public procurement to SFSCs: how school meals can drive local food policy, integrating sustainability & community involvement”, Nadia Tonoli, Food Policy Officer for the Municipality of Bergamo
“Sustainable school meals program of Torres Vedras”, Paula Mota Rodrigues, Senior Technician, Municipality of Torres Vedras

This session, hosted on July 20, brought together 50+ attendees — advisors, researchers, and food producers from across Europe. Unlike previous advisinars, this edition was more personal, giving the floor to SFSC network advisors Robert Klaassen and Lucia Balak, who took the stage to share their experience and challenges.

The session explores how slaughtering solutions, including cooperative, veterinary and semi-mobile models, can support shorter supply chains, improve access to local markets and respond to the needs of farmers and rural communities. Through expert presentations and a roundtable discussion, participants have gained insights into how these solutions work in practice in different European contexts.

Discussions

“A Shared Future – The Cooperative Path Forward in Felcsík Region”
Süket Zsombor – project manager
country: Romania

“Veterinary practice in a Romanian country”
Maximilian Dragan – Dr. from Veterinary Authority in Sibiu County
country: Romania

“Semi-mobile slaughtering of cattle in the field”
Theresa Kienzer
country: Austria

“A farm which opens its premises to 15 local producers”
Anne-Cécile Brit
country: France

From the REKO model in Finland to open food marketplaces in Ireland, ERP platforms for cooperatives in Spain, and a Croatian digital SFSC hub. Thank you to our four speakers (Jorge Molero Cortés, Alejandro Wonenburger García, Evonne Boland and Tom S.) for sharing such practical insights. And thank you to everyone who joined and asked questions.

Event details

• Date: 20 April 2026

• Time: 10:00–11:15 CET

• Format: Presentations followed by a roundtable discussion and Q&A

Speakers & contributions

1. Central hubs to flow organic products through the bio-district supply chain.
   Joe Kelleher – Organic Specialist at Teagasc
   country: Ireland
2. Kleeberger Kistl: A German Cooperative 24/7 Self-Service Concept for Regional Direct Marketing
   Sophia Goßner – Head Unit “Processing and Marketing of Agricultural Products” at Bavarian State Research Center for Agriculture (LFL)
   country: Germany
3. Helyénvaló Food Hub: A Romanian Golden Case
   Judith Molnár – Manager of the Helyénvaló Food Hub
   country: Romania

The session will conclude with an interactive roundtable discussion with the three experts.

The Advisinar focused on food security, sovereignty, and resilience, highlighting the role of SFSCs in today’s food systems. The presentations included French policy perspectives, the DG AGRI vision, digital tools, resilience-building, and rural-urban food connections.

The Advisinar focused on how shared local facilities can save costs in SFSC production. The presentations include the Austrian approach to mobile poultry slaughtering as a best practice, supplemented by further examples from the Netherlands.

The Advisinar focused on training, advisory support, and accessible guidance as key tools to improve food safety and reduce friction in SFSCs. The presentations highlighted the Austrian approach as a best practice, complemented by discussion of European resources such as French regulatory guidance and the Teacheesy programme.