The concerns expressed by the Cooperation Council of Agricultural Organizations (LOSP) over the Riga City Council’s rejection of local products are unfounded, Riga City Council Chairman Mārtiņš Staķis (PP) told reporters on Friday.
Riga’s decision to join the “Don’t eat the globe” campaign in January means that vegetarian snacks will be provided in January at events organized by the central administration of the Riga City Council, such as the reception of foreign delegations or a conference.
However, nothing has changed with regard to meals in municipal schools.
There are said to be two to three events a month that require snacking. Also, when it comes to giving up animal origin, there will be no deviation from local products, Staķis said.
Joining the campaign is said to be symbolic support for this idea.
According to Stäkis, the LOSP statement shows a misunderstanding.
As the LETA agency learned, the contract for the provision of catering services to the central administration of the municipality was concluded with SIA “Pētertornis”, the owner of the restaurant “Pētergailis”. The maximum total amount of the contract is 20,000 euros. It was concluded on the basis of public procurement and is valid until 26 September 2023.
As reported, LOSP sent an open letter to the Riga City Council expressing its concern and opposing the Mayor of Riga’s decision in January to oblige the central administration of Riga to refuse the use of meat products in the scope of the “Do not eat the globe” program.
LOSP board chairman Guntis Gūtmanis criticizes in the letter, for example, that the municipality “casts a shadow over traditional Latvian cuisine, especially during holidays”.
It has already been reported that the sixth annual nature-friendly food challenge “Don’t eat the globe” will start in January, in which the Riga city council will also participate.
LOSP is an association that brings together non-governmental organizations of producers and processors at national level. The organization seeks to formulate a unified opinion of farmers for the protection of producers’ interests and further negotiations with state administration institutions, as well as other cooperation partners.
