On 13 November 2014, the Ljubljana Exhibition and Convention Centre held the 13th regional conference entitled “Local Self-Sufficient Supply: Implementation of the Principle of Short Food Supply Chains in the Public Procurement System in Public Institutions”.

The conference, organised by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food and the Regional Development Agency of the Ljubljana Urban Region (RRA LUR) presented guidelines and recommendations for ordering food in public institutions, various types of food and foodstuffs supply, and a model of intermunicipal co-operation in the field of local self-sufficiency within the RURBANCE project. Since the primary goal of the conference is the increase in procurement and integration of locally grown food in public institutions and other food providers, special emphasis was also put both on the recommendations related to the preparation of procurement of food and foodstuffs as well as on the exchange of good practices in the field of supply in public institutions.

Eating local food has recently become a trend in modern lifestyle, as short routes between producers and consumers allow a more secure and healthy eating habits of the individual. Food obtained near you is of a higher quality, has higher nutritional value and contains more vitamins. In addition, it also presents a smaller burden on the environment. However, with all of this it is not an insignificant fact that increase in the use of locally grown food also contributes to the growth of local economy.

In this regard Lilijana Madjar, MBA, the Director of the Regional Development Agency of the Ljubljana Urban Region has pointed out that agriculture and self-sufficiency are identified as important priorities of the region for the period 2014-2020: “Today’s turnout indicates that the subject matter at hand is of the utmost importance for the stakeholders. The task of the Regional Development Agency of the Ljubljana Urban Region is to recognise the potential of the region and look for solutions; therefore our tasks will be largely focused on sustainable development and increase in self-sufficient supply, whereby we shall strive for an economically efficient, socially equitable and environmentally friendly development.”