Kitchen staff can now use the ‘Supply 4 Future’ platform to order produce from different growers, who have to register and be approved beforehand. In return, suppliers get a better picture of what school cafeterias want and how to meet this demand.
Luc Emering, president of the Young Farmers, commented: “We have a very strong deficit when it comes to fruit and vegetables, our self-reliance level is far below 10% of what is consumed throughout the country. Then there are alternative cultures that can be relevant for water protection, such as Quinoa. These are cultures that are not very known and that definitely have potential.”
Blanche Weber, president of Mouvement Ecologique, also commented: “We know that there is a pesticide exposure particularly affecting imported and conventional produce. Luxembourgish organic produce is less affected, which a study carried out by the Health Directorate showed.” The environmental organisation now hopes that cafeterias in hospitals and care homes will follow suit.
The test phase of the project will conclude after one year. The regulations are then expected to become mandatory as of September 2024.
Restopolis currently operates 112 restaurants and cafeterias, supplying close to three million people with food each year.
