European activists push for sustainable food in public canteens

Activists from the 'Slow Food' movement across Europe are championing sustainable and local food sourcing, with a particular focus on public canteens. In Brussels, an event called 'Terra Madre Europe' brought together participants to discuss transforming food systems and fostering more responsible consumption.

The core idea is to leverage the millions of meals served daily in schools, universities, and public institutions. By connecting local farmers directly with these canteens, the initiative seeks to improve dietary habits, bolster rural economies, and contribute to climate action. The movement aims to foster a deeper connection between urban consumers and the agricultural sector.

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Public canteens are one of the most powerful and underestimated tools we have to transform the food system from the ground up, starting with what people eat daily.

Spain is highlighted as a leader in this area, possessing some of the European Union's most progressive legislation. A 2025 royal decree specifically promotes healthy and sustainable school canteens, setting mandatory minimum standards for cafeterias. Rocío García from 'Slow Food Compostela' shared her experience with the 'Come Local' project in Galicia, a five-year initiative that educated on healthy eating, valued local production, and strengthened the rural economy.

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The 'Come Local' project in Galicia educated on healthy eating and valued local production, strengthening the rural economy and fostering reconnection between the city and the countryside.

Marta Messa, Secretary General of 'Slow Food,' emphasized the significant, yet underestimated, power of public canteens. "Public canteens are one of the most powerful and underestimated tools we have to transform the food system from the ground up, starting with what people eat daily," she stated.

Dana Smith of the U.S.-based 'Monday Without Meat' movement added that even a single weekly meal change in public canteens can have a substantial impact on public health, the environment, and how individuals perceive their food choices.

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Just the fact of changing one meal a week in public canteens can have a great impact on public health, the environment, and the way people conceive their food choices.