On Friday 18 August 2023, Luxembourg's Ministry of Agriculture, Viticulture and Rural Development urged local fruit and vegetable growers to submit offers on the public procurement platform for school catering for the coming academic year (“Schouluebstprogramm 2023-2024”).

The 2023-2024 school year marks the 15th anniversary of the school fruit programme, called “Schouluebstprogramm” in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. Through it, Luxembourg participates in the European school fruit and vegetable programme, the objective of which is to increase the consumption of fruit and vegetables among pupils, and to make them aware of the taste of agricultural products.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Viticulture and Rural Development has published a tender in five lots for the supply and distribution of fruit and vegetables to schools for the 2023-2024 academic year. Three lots are intended for local agricultural producers, and two lots are intended for distributors who are invited to supply the balance of the fruits and vegetables necessary for the programme, and to transport all the products to the 399 school sites. 

Favouring local apples, pears and carrots

Among the fruits and vegetables produced in Luxembourg, apples, pears and carrots are best suited for distribution to pupils during the school year. This is why three lots of the tender, representing a third of the fruits and vegetables to be distributed, target local producers of apples, pears and carrots. To be eligible, producers must also host students on their farms. Note that small producers can also join forces to issue a bid.

Making room for organic fruits and vegetables

In order to promote local organic farming, locally produced carrots must come from organic production, which is sufficiently developed to be able to supply the necessary quantity and quality.

As for fruit and vegetables supplied by distributors, 10% must come from organic production. To be consistent with the government's social and development aid objectives, all bananas must be organic and fair trade. Increasing the mandatory percentage of organic products in these batches would only increase their import from abroad. According to national healthy eating recommendations, all fruits and vegetables, whether organic or not, are considered healthy.

Limiting the administrative effort of schools

The organisation of the “Schouluebstprogramm” is centralised by the Administration of Technical Services for Agriculture (ASTA). Distributors are responsible for delivering all fruit and vegetables to all primary and secondary schools through the Grand Duchy. This management has the advantage of sparing schools from the majority of administrative procedures. The use of a limited number of suppliers (five lots) also allows ASTA to simplify management and mandatory controls.

Complying with rules imposed by the European public market

The “Schouluebstprogramm” is co-financed by the European Union and the Luxembourg State and its execution is subject to European public procurement rules. To benefit from the subsidies, Luxembourg must respect the reasonable nature of expenses, so that the “price” factor counts for 50% of the criteria for awarding the prizes.

Key figures of the “Schouluebstprogramm”

- The programme benefits 98% of primary and secondary school students,
- The “Schouluebstprogramm” enjoys great acceptance among pupils,
- 399 school sites (328 primary schools and 71 secondary schools) are delivered to on a weekly basis,
- More than 2.2 million portions of quality fruits and vegetables are distributed annually using efficient logistics appreciated by establishments and producers,
- A third of the fruit and vegetables distributed come from local producers,
- A third of the fruit and vegetables distributed are from organic production, with in particular 100% organic local carrots and 100% organic and Fairtrade bananas,
- Educational measures: in 2022/2023, 208 pupils in basic education took part in visits to local fruit growers and market gardeners.

Submission is open until 14 September 2023.

The full version of contract notice no. 2301768 is available online at https://marches.public.lu/fr.html