Healthy and sustainable menus in municipal schools of Pamplona
About this good practice
Pamplona carried out a pilot for healthier diet on municipal nurseries taking into account sustainable criteria. It involved the nursery schools, families, agricultural sector and nutritionists. The pilot was successful, therefore, they implemented this initiative in 10 nurseries that have their own kitchen with cooks who are public workers.
In 2019, it launched a 2-year service tender requesting the supply and logistics of fresh, organic, seasonal and local food, as well as the reception, storage and transport to the nursery canteens. The tender was divided in 12 lots of food (veal, chicken, eggs, fish, yogurt, vegetables, cereals & legumes, pasta, bread, oil, tomato preserves, various food) and a logistic management lot.
The sustainable award criteria included are:
- Products of differentiated quality: organic, Protected Denomination of Origin, Protected Geographical Indication, autochthonous breeds, traditional varieties, artisanal production and sustainable fishing or aquaculture
- Distribution and proximity channel: non or one intermediary and place of production, slaughter and transformation up to 200 km to the hiring center
- Kind and format of packaging: exclusive and reusable or not reusable, but recyclable, compostable and ecological; and big formats
- Actions for knowledge transfer, awareness raising and education in food, environment and social justice
- For the logistic lot: distribution routes, vehicle environmental label (0, Eco or C) and up to 50 km.
Resources needed
29,675€ for the development of a model to improve the quality and sustainability of the menus. 41,420€ for training and organisation in kitchens. Kitchen staff remain the same. Additionally, it was created a nutritionist part time job to support the 10 school canteens. Food budget incremented 8.6%.
Evidence of success
10 nursery schools with healthier menus, 1,100 menus/day (0-3 years old; mid-morning snack and lunch), 1,000 families aware on sustainable and healthy eating, kitchen and canteen staff trained in sustainable and nutritional menus.
100% of fresh food, 90% organic, 80% local, 75% direct channel. From this percentage of direct channel: 100% (meet, oil, yogurt, eggs and bread), 85% vegetables, 65% legumes, 63% cereals and 8.5% fruits.
EUR 171,600 return value to the organic sector (annual).
Potential for learning or transfer
The city of Pamplona signed the Milan policy pact, committed to develop sustainable food systems, to have healthy and accessible food, protect biodiversity and fight against waste. This pact encourages the redefinition of the school canteen programs and other public food services. Pamplona is also a member of the Covenant of Mayors, an initiative to fight against change climate.
The advantages of this public food purchase are broad: reinforcement of the local socio-economic fabric, population fixation, environmental and rural development improvements, healthy consumption habits and citizens education.
In addition, the regional law of Public Contracts indicates, “the contracting authorities must incorporate aspects that require or prioritize their quality, related to health and nutrition, ecological or organic character, food sovereignty and security, taking into account the life cycle of products, or the minimization of emissions and raw materials in transport and packaging”.
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Organismo Autónomo de Escuelas Infantiles Municipales de Pamplona