EcoBuy Vienna: Sustainable Procurement of Food and Meals by the City of Vienna (ÖkoKauf Wien: Nachhaltiger Einkauf von Lebensmitteln und Speisen durch die Stadt Wien in German)

City/Town/Village: Vienna
County/Province/District (Name of): n/a
Sub-national State: Vienna
Country: Austria
Language: English; German
Spatial Distinction: Urban
Level of Government: City
Population: 1,867,582
Population Range: 1 million - 4.99 million
Policy Type: Plans
Food Systems Sector(s): food acquisition, preparation and consumption; food and organic waste management; food processing and manufacturing; food production
Year of Adoption: 2016
Adopting Government Department(s): The City Administration of Vienna
Lead Implementing Entity: Executive Office for Urban Planning and Development
Supporting Entity: Municipal Department for General Financial and Economic Affairs
Additional Supporting Entity: Office of the Administrative Group on Environmental Affairs
Funding Amount: n/a
Funding Sources: n/a
Policy Links: PDF-Original – PDF-English – Web
Link to Additional Resources:
Policy Outcome:

The sustainable food procurement program is part of the ÖkoKauf Wien (EcoBuy Vienna) project initiated by the City of Vienna in 1999 to encourage and provide opportunities for residents of Vienna to acquire food through environmental friendly ways. Under this program, the city administration primary goal is to provide nutritious food to the people strictly using environmentally- and economically-sustainable methods. The objectives of the plan include: food that is organically and locally produced; a supply of seasonal, fresh and non-GMO food production; waste reduction; minimization of the amount of animal product used in Viennese diet; standards for ethical handling of animals; assurance of rights of farm workers; and maintenance of fair-trade food processing. This policy has helped to ensure that at least 30 percent of all the food in the city is organic. One of the most successful initiatives of this program was the Natürlich gut Teller (Naturally Good Dish) criteria, which provides specific eco-friendly modifications to the above rules for canteens across the city in various hospitals, retirement homes, and other institutions.

Policy Keywords: agriculture; agroecology; animal welfare; buy local; climate change; food processing; green development/infrastructure; greenhouse gas emissions; grown local; nutrition; organic agriculture; sustainability; waste management