In its report published on 17 October 2024 (Fracture alimentaire Maux communs, remède collectif), the Institut Montaigne analyses the 3 main food challenges currently facing France: social, health and environmental. At the societal level, it is argued that the inflation crisis has aggravated an already worrying situation in terms of access to food, by increasing food insecurity and the use of food aid. In terms of health, consumers are increasingly turning to processed foods rich in sugar, salt and saturated fats, which cause serious illnesses. Finally, at an ecological level, our food consumption, which is still too focused on meat products and imports, leaves a significant environmental and climate footprint. Our society is therefore characterised by two major fault lines: growing food insecurity and unbalanced diets.
As regards the public catering sector, it is proposed that quality catering should continue to be promoted at national level, and various measures are proposed:
- Updating legislation on mass catering to meet the current needs of beneficiaries.
- Promoting support for local economies in procurement.
- Ensuring the public catering model as a guarantee of quality and food safety.
The report adds that public catering is a unique and particularly virtuous model, serving an average of 7.3 billion cheap and high-quality meals a year, which must be preserved. As at least 140 meals per pupil are consumed each year, school canteens are also essential sites for food education.