A few days ago, the pilot project of the Austrian Armed Forces for regional and seasonal food procurement in Lower Austria was launched for the first time. The so-called “Dynamic Procurement System” (DBS) of Bundesbeschaffungs GmbH (BBG) enables regional suppliers to offer their products – especially food – in an uncomplicated and efficient manner. This system is now to be used specifically for the Lower Austria region in order to make procurement even more local and regional.
A total of 20 properties of the Austrian Armed Forces in Lower Austria are to be supplied with high-quality regional and seasonal food as part of the joint project.
“In 2021, we introduced the successful Klimateller project in the Austrian Armed Forces (ÖBH) in the troop kitchensto focus more on regionality, sustainability and quality in the interests of our soldiers – by giving preference to more climate-friendly, regional and seasonal foods. The pilot project that has now been launched gives us the opportunity to procure food even more regionally and in a more targeted manner for our kitchens. This will shorten transport routes and support regional suppliers,” says Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner.
DBS as a pilot project
Back in 2024, the Federal Ministry of Defense and the Lower Austrian Chamber of Agriculture decided to initiate a pilot project for the “Dynamic Procurement System” in Lower Austria. The necessary requirements and contracts were drawn up in collaboration with the BBG, which is generally responsible for the public procurement of goods and products. Food procurement as part of the project covers the product groups fruit and vegetables, meat and sausage products, milk and dairy products and dry goods.
Since the introduction of the Klimateller by Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner, the Austrian Armed Forces have increasingly focused on regionality when purchasing products – within the limits of budgetary possibilities. As a result, food is increasingly being sourced locally or from Austria in order to increase regional added value. The pilot project is intended to make procurement even more targeted and local.
The project is planned for a period of six months and the first orders should be possible from the beginning of April. The Federal Ministry of Defense is also planning to test and introduce this procurement model in other federal states – Salzburg will be the next federal state to enter the test phase.
“The increased cooperation with the Austrian Armed Forces promotes regional food and small-scale family farms. The pilot project creates an unbureaucratic system that ensures the supply of high-quality, healthy and regional products to the troops and utilizes synergies with agriculture, with our local farmers,” Johannes Schmuckenschlager, President of the Lower Austrian Chamber of Agriculture, is convinced.
Klimateller as a pioneer for sustainable catering
In 2021, the Austrian Armed Forces introduced the climate plate as a pilot project in all 88 catering facilities nationwide. As a result, around 20 percent of the total of 2.4 million lunches were served as climate-friendly menus in the following year, 2022 – the equivalent of around 500,000 meals.
Almost 200 new climate-friendly recipes were developed on the basis of the Klimateller criteria and added to the database. In addition, numerous products were tested that had previously not been used at all or only to a limited extent by the Austrian Armed Forces, such as soy from the Tullnerfeld region.
In order to further increase the quality and sustainability of the food, the daily food allowance for soldiers and service personnel has been increased in recent years. “The Klimateller is now an integral part of our staff’s daily meals and has been very well received by our employees,” says Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner.
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