Kocēni to Host Conference on Cooperation Among Local Producers in Public Food Procurement
A conference organised by the Latvian Rural Advisory and Training Centre (LLKC) will take place in Kocēni on 12 November, focusing on how cooperation can help small food producers win public procurement contracts. Ministry of Agriculture officials and cooperative representatives will take part.
A conference titled "Own Product, Own Strength – Together, Small Becomes Big!" will be held at the Kocēni Culture House in Latvia on 12 November, from 11:00 to 16:00. It is organised by the Latvian Rural Advisory and Training Centre (LLKC). The event focuses on cooperation, meaning producers joining forces, as a way for small and medium-sized Latvian food producers to supply schools, kindergartens, hospitals and other state and municipal institutions more often.
Why cooperation matters
State and municipal bodies regularly buy food for education, healthcare, social care and other public services. Food is also needed for the National Armed Forces. For local producers, such procurement can offer a stable market, but smaller companies often lack the resources to compete. A single producer frequently struggles to provide the required volume, range of products and regular deliveries.
Cooperation lets producers pool resources, output and expertise. This helps them offer a wider range of products, ensure regular supplies, deliver larger volumes and meet public procurement requirements. Maira Dzelzkalēja-Burmistre, deputy chair of the board of the association Zemnieku saeima (Farmers' Parliament), stresses that choosing local produce in procurement supports Latvian farmers, strengthens the economy and improves food supply security.
Programme and participants
The programme is built around three questions: why it is important to promote local food in public procurement, what is needed for producers to be able to supply institutions, and how to find practical solutions.
Participants will include Ģirts Krūmiņš, State Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, and Liene Jansone, Deputy State Secretary for sectoral policy and market issues, as well as representatives of the State Defence Logistics and Procurement Centre, municipalities and local producers, and sector experts. The cooperative society Vidzemes BIO āboli un ogas, SIA Dimdiņi, the farm Bračas and PKS Straupe will share their experience.
In-person attendance requires prior registration at mittoevents.com/kooperacija-2026.
