Summary
This quasi-experimental study tracked changes in the environmental and nutritional profile of food procurement across 356 Copenhagen childcare centres from 2018 to 2022 following municipal implementation of a climate-friendly catering strategy. A 15% reduction in carbon footprint was achieved primarily through a 37% decrease in ruminant meat purchases and a 25% increase in plant-based protein procurement, positioning the city to meet its 25% reduction target by 2025. However, nutritional quality showed limited improvement, with several key micronutrients and macronutrient guidelines remaining unmet in both years, suggesting that achieving climate goals through procurement reform requires concurrent attention to dietary adequacy.
UK applicability
The findings are directly relevant to UK public food procurement policy, particularly school and public sector catering. The Copenhagen experience demonstrates that substantial carbon reductions (15% within four years) are achievable through procurement guidelines and professional support, though the UK would need to address similar challenges around meeting nutritional targets alongside environmental goals in institutional catering.
Key measures
Carbon footprint (per 10 MJ energy); nutrient composition (calcium, iron, vitamin D, sodium, total and saturated fat); procurement data for ruminant meat, plant-based protein sources (pulses, nuts, seeds)
Outcomes reported
The study measured changes in carbon footprint and nutrient composition of food procurement in Copenhagen's childcare centres between 2018 and 2022, following implementation of a climate-friendly food strategy. Carbon footprint decreased by 15% overall, with ruminant meat purchases declining 37%, whilst nutritional quality remained largely unchanged.
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