Athena Institute collaborates with the municipality of Amsterdam to encourage healthier and more sustainable food sourcing in local canteens.
Along with 12 employers and institutions in Amsterdam, VU Amsterdam has committed to offering healthier and more sustainable meal options in line with Dutch and EU ambitions to transform food systems. The initiative, a joint effort of the municipality of Amsterdam and the Athena Institute branch of the FoodCLIC project, emerged from a community of practice, where local institutions came together to share ideas about sourcing, growing, and serving healthier and more sustainable foods to Amsterdam residents. Having more sustainable and tasty food choices available at fairer prices should make it easier for employees and students to choose options that are good for their health and for the planet.
Covenant signing at the mayor’s residence
On April 8th, the participating organisations signed a covenant signalling their intention to provide at least 60% plant-based and 25% organically produced foods as well as to reduce food waste by 50% and serve more meals that comply with the national health standards - Wheel of Five. The participating organisations include, Amsta, Amstelring, Amsterdam UMC, Arkin, BovenIJ Ziekenhuis, Cordaan, gemeente Amsterdam, Green Business Club Zuidas, GVB, Openbare Bibliotheek Amsterdam, Facility Services for Universiteit van Amsterdam and Hogeschool van Amsterdam, and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.
The signing of the covenant marks an important milestone on the FoodCLIC journey, as it solidifies institutional support for the mission of food system transformation, and opens up possibilities for collective learning amongst the organisations participating in the covenant. Through initiatives such as experimenting with plant-based canteens, or engaging in collective sourcing of foods from local producers and farmers, the participating institutions can share data, lessons learned, and pool purchasing resources – setting new standards for the industry in Amsterdam. The hope is that this will foster a positive feedback loop towards a food system in which farmers and other businesses are encouraged to produce more organic and plant-based foods and in which shortened food chains encourage fairer pricing for local farmers.
For more on the covenant see the full agreements in the covenant.