FoodService
Europe
The contract catering sector delivers approximately 6 billion meals each year. The industry has an annual turnover of over €25 billion and employs 600,000 people all over Europe.
FoodServiceEurope represents the interests of the European contract catering sector at EU level
FoodServiceEurope was established in 1990 to discuss and address the key issues affecting the contract catering sector.
We are committed tackling the predominant socio-economic challenges that arise and to driving sustainable growth for our industry and for Europe as a whole.
We employ 600.000 people
across Europe.
We deliver 6 billion meals annually.
We serve one in every two meals taken at the workplace.
We prepare more than one in four meals at school.
Latest News and latest Positions
Press Release – FoodServiceEurope welcomes the European Commission’s Vision for Agriculture and Food
Letta Report: Social Partners in the contract catering sector welcome his views on public procurement
FoodServiceEurope submits 2024 Annual Report for the Code of Conduct
Position on the evaluation on the Directive on unfair trading practices
FoodServiceEurope believes that fostering fair contractual relations amongst all actors in the supply chain is essential to provide high-quality, safe, and affordable food to consumers. Therefore, the contract catering sector welcomes the opportunity to provide input to the evaluation of Directive 2019/633 on unfair trading practices in the agricultural and food supply chain.
The current Directive does not sufficiently consider the specificities of the contract catering sector and its unique position in the food supply chain. This is because the scope of the Directive only applies to the sale and purchase of food products but not the provision of food services in business-to-business relations. As a result, our sector needs to comply with the requirements and obligations as buyers of food products but does not have equivalent protection in their dealings as suppliers.
We therefore believe that it is essential to revise the Directive as soon as possible to extend its scope to cover the provision of food services.
Position Paper on Late Payments Directive Revision
FoodServiceEurope welcomes the opportunity to provide our position on the revision the existing Directive on late payments. Late payments, in particular by national and local public authorities, continue to be a very serious problem for our industry. While the situation diverges substantially across Member States, in national markets payment terms from public authorities can reach up to 200 days, creating serious burdens in terms of cash flow for catering companies.
Read our recommendations in our position paper below.
Position Paper on Green Claims
FoodServiceEurope supports a general EU framework that protects consumers and companies from misleading green claims, improves legal certainty and levels the playing field within the Single Market. It is however essential that the new framework does not disincentivize companies from communicating on their environmental efforts since the ability to communicate to consumers is a strong driver of environmental improvements. Therefore, such a framework must be proportionate, and balanced. It should be easy for companies to apply and inform consumers about their choices.
Read our suggestions in the document below.
Our priorities
Public Procurement & Concessions
Public Procurement & Concessions
EU Code of Conduct on Responsible Food Business and Marketing Practices
EU Code of Conduct on Responsible Food Business and Marketing Practices
Taxation
Taxation
Our priorities
Public Procurement & Concessions
Public Procurement & Concessions
EU Code of Conduct on Responsible Food Business and Marketing Practices
EU Code of Conduct on Responsible Food Business and Marketing Practices
Taxation
Taxation
Consumer Protection
Consumer Protection
Fight against obesity
Fight against obesity
Sustainability
Sustainability
Explore More!
Consumer Protection
Consumer Protection
Fight against obesity
Fight against obesity
Sustainability
Sustainability
Explore More!
Our
Objectives
01
To provide valuable insight on EU policy initiatives and legislation and inform policymakers on the perspective of the European contract catering sector.
Contract catering is directly affected by many aspects of EU legislation. FoodServiceEurope promotes its members’ interests in areas including food hygiene and safety, public procurement and concessions,
02
To provide an EU-level forum for contract caterers.
03
To cooperate with other EU stakeholders on areas of joint interest.
Most frequently asked questions
FoodServiceEurope provides on-going contributions to the EU policymaking process and is in continuous dialogue with decision-makers on the perspective of the European contract catering sector on policy and regulatory developments.