FOODGaP Webinar: Public Procurement for Sustainable and Healthy Food Systems

How can public procurement become a strategic tool for building healthier and more sustainable food systems?

On 16 September 2026, the final webinar of the FOODGaP Capacity Building Programme will explore the role of public procurement as a governance instrument for transforming food systems and promoting sustainability, health and territorial resilience in cities and metropolitan areas.

Organised by the Metropolitan City of Rome Capital within the framework of the Interreg NEXT MED FOODGaP – Food Governance and Policies at local level project, the webinar will bring together experts and practitioners to discuss practical approaches to sustainable public procurement.

The discussion will address short food supply chains, metropolitan governance, innovative procurement models for school catering and the role of school food policies in wider food system transformation.

Professional interpretation will be available in English, Italian and French.

Speakers

Giulia Listorti
European Commission – Deputy Head of the Food Security Unit at the Joint Research Centre (JRC)

Gisela Varias
Director of Terra Pagesa, Barcelona Metropolitan Area

Francesca Rocchi
President of Slow Food Rome and Vice President of the Foodinsider Association

Silvano Falocco
Director of Fondazione Ecosistemi

Programme

10:00–10:05 | Welcome and Introduction
Rosanna Capone, Director, Metropolitan City of Rome Capital

10:05–10:20 | Public Procurement as a Systemic Driver of Sustainability and Health
Giulia Listorti, European Commission – Joint Research Centre (JRC)

10:20–10:35 | Case Studies: Strengthening Short Food Supply Chains through Metropolitan Governance
Gisela Varias, Director, Terra Pagesa – Barcelona Metropolitan Area

10:35–10:50 | Innovative Public Procurement Models for School Catering
Francesca Rocchi, Foodinsider

10:50–11:05 | SchoolFood4Change: Transforming School Food Procurement into a Driver of Food System Change
Silvano Falocco, Director, Fondazione Ecosistemi

11:05–11:25 | Q&A session

11:25–11:30 | Final remarks
Francesca Volpe, CIHEAM Bari – FOODGaP Lead Partner

Registration

Registration is required by 15 September 2026.