On the proposal of the socialist group, the elected representatives of Toulouse Métropole voted unanimously in favor of the food exception in public catering markets, so that the products used are more from local producers and less subject to European competition. At the same time, they are committed to continuing the community’s efforts to increase the share of local food.

This is a proposal that will not have been debated in the council of Toulouse Métropole, which took place this Thursday, June 23 at the MEETT. the support for food exceptions in public catering markets making it possible to dispense with the obligation to open to competition on a European scale has been adopted. Indeed, according to the public procurement code, local authorities must open calls for tenders in this area to all European suppliers. A rule which the elected opposition socialists would keep freeing themselves from. This is why they submitted this wish during the last community assembly aimed at regain “local supply capacity”.

The advantages of the food exception

For the Solidarity, Ecological and Democratic Metropolis (MSED) group, this is guarantee superior food quality, limit the production of greenhouse gases and avoid geopolitical constraints “The surge in food prices, under the effect of the geopolitical situation coupled with speculative behavior on certain products, makes it all the more useful to relocate supplies, which appears to be a useful lever for reducing the increases to which the communities are exposed, ”it is specified in the wish.

The food exception in public catering markets can also support producers present in the territory of Toulouse Métropole. “These are struggling to respond to calls for tenders, too cumbersome to manage administratively, and to cut only for large operators”, notes Vincent Gibert, rapporteur for the wish of his political group. The interest of this measure would then be “that for each family of products (fruits and vegetables), meat, eggs, dairy products, dry products, …), it is possible to choose the geographical location and to integrate a quota of ‘over-the-counter purchases’, specify the socialists.

By this wish, Toulouse Métropole asks the European authorities to change the rules governing EU public procurement, and to the President of the Republic to ask for the debate, as long as he retains the presidency of Europe. As an attendant, community elected officials have undertaken to include a larger share of local products in collective catering.

Reflection on producers to favor locals

Thus, the MSED group asks Toulouse Métropole to free itself somewhat from the public procurement code. “A good initiative”, concedes Pierre Trautmann, member of the majority group Métropole d’Avenir. Moreover, as he gives the example, the Town Hall of Toulouse has itself develop strategies to increase local foods and responsible on the plates of municipal canteens. “In the Pink City, where 35,000 meals are prepared, we have managed to offer 52% of products under signs of quality and origin (Sico) and 32% organic. What is superior to the regulations of the Egalim law, which plans to achieve 50% quality and sustainable products and 20% organic foodstuffs “Explains the metropolitan councilor, who is also deputy mayor of Toulouse, in charge of public procurement.

A procedure that remains legal but whose the assembly makes it possible to favor the producers of the territory, like the fragmentation of public markets. “In Toulouse, we have distributed purchases over 44 lots so that local farmers can integrate,” recalls Pierre Trautmann. A method that could easily be duplicated across the metropolis to offer more local products in public catering establishments. Toulouse metropolis, via wires agricultural and food project had already, in 2018, acted support for school catering in its qualitative progress. Mention that Pierre Trautmann wished to see included in the text of the wish, in the form of an amendment.

Much good to them, for the socialists who believe that “if conceding that what is being done in Toulouse is fabulous can allow all of us to create union on this proposal, then we accept this amendment”, quips Vincent Gilbert. UN therefore amended wish, which was voted unanimously.