In a recent letter, the Department of Environment of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment refers to the implementation of the Green Public Procurement Action Plan (GPP) and more specifically to the organic food purchase by the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education and Culture. It is noted that the implementation of the GPP is an obligation for all authorities in the public and semi-public sectors, as well as for local authorities. Under the new EU Public Procurement Directive (2014), the various departments are encouraged to choose the most economically advantageous tender instead of the cheapest one.

The Department of Environment emphasizes the need to incorporate more organic products into hospitals, army camps, day-care schools and institutions with a view to familiarize the public with the organic food, reduce prices due to mass consumption by the public sector and, most importantly, feed patients, soldiers and children with non-chemical products. Organic products should be labeled with organic farming certification or meet the EU Toolbox’s minimum criteria.

The ORGANIKO LIFE project aims to strengthen the organic market in Cyprus and supports the effort to incorporate more organic food from relevant Ministries and their services, including schools.