Abstract Objective: To identify and characterize initiatives that promote the purchase of locally-sourced foods to supply schools and the school centres carrying out the initiatives. Method: Exploratory, descriptive study based on secondary data and key informant reports. A search of governmental and non-governmental initiatives was carried out at the autonomous community level. Government initiatives were located through school feeding programmes in the different autonomous communities, their nutritional guides and representatives of the councils for education and agriculture. Non-governmental initiatives were found through their own websites and the snowball technique. Initiatives were analysed by their geographic distribution, organizational area (government vs. non-government), number of school centres carrying out the initiatives, management style and organic food purchase. A descriptive analysis of the data was carried out. Results: 12 initiatives carried out by 318 schools (2.16% of all the schools with food service in Spain) were identified. Among these, 6 are governmental initiatives with a scope of 274 schools (1.86%), and 6 are non-governmental initiatives with a scope of 44 schools (0.30%). Most of these schools have a public management system in place (n = 284). All the initiatives provide for the purchase of organic food. Conclusion: Local food purchase initiatives in Spain have a limited reach. However, the existence of a state directive could support and strengthen the development of such initiatives, given that school commitment is greater when initiatives are driven by the public sector.

Resumen Objetivo: Identificar y caracterizar las iniciativas que fomentan la compra local de alimentos para el suministro de los comedores escolares en España y los centros escolares que las llevan a cabo. Método: Estudio exploratorio y descriptivo, basado en la consulta de fuentes secundarias e informantes clave. Se buscaron iniciativas gubernamentales y no gubernamentales de ámbito autonómico. Las gubernamentales se localizaron a través de los programas de comedores escolares de las comunidades autónomas y sus guías alimentarias, y de representantes de las consejerías de educación y agricultura. Las no gubernamentales se localizaron en páginas web y mediante la técnica de bola de nieve. Dichas iniciativas se analizaron en función de su distribución geográfica, ámbito del organismo promotor (gubernamental o no), número de centros escolares que las desarrollan, forma de gestión de los centros y compra de alimentos ecológicos. Se realizó un análisis descriptivo de los datos. Resultados: Se localizaron 12 iniciativas desarrolladas en 318 centros escolares (un 2,16% del total de centros con servicio de comedor en España). De ellas, seis son gubernamentales, con 274 centros vinculados (1,86%), y seis no son gubernamentales, con 44 centros (0,30%). La mayoría de estos centros son de gestión pública (n = 284). Todas las iniciativas contemplan la compra de alimentos ecológicos. Conclusión: Las iniciativas de compra local de alimentos en España tienen un alcance limitado en los centros escolares. No obstante, la existencia de una directriz estatal podría apoyar y fortalecer su desarrollo, dado que la adhesión de los centros es mayor cuando se impulsa desde el sector público.

Abstract Objective: To identify and characterize initiatives that promote the purchase of locally-sourced foods to supply schools and the school centres carrying out the initiatives. Method: Exploratory, descriptive study based on secondary data and key informant reports. A search of governmental and non-governmental initiatives was carried out at the autonomous community level. Government initiatives were located through school feeding programmes in the different autonomous communities, their nutritional guides and representatives of the councils for education and agriculture. Non-governmental initiatives were found through their own websites and the snowball technique. Initiatives were analysed by their geographic distribution, organizational area (government vs. non-government), number of school centres carrying out the initiatives, management style and organic food purchase. A descriptive analysis of the data was carried out. Results: 12 initiatives carried out by 318 schools (2.16% of all the schools with food service in Spain) were identified. Among these, 6 are governmental initiatives with a scope of 274 schools (1.86%), and 6 are non-governmental initiatives with a scope of 44 schools (0.30%). Most of these schools have a public management system in place (n = 284). All the initiatives provide for the purchase of organic food. Conclusion: Local food purchase initiatives in Spain have a limited reach. However, the existence of a state directive could support and strengthen the development of such initiatives, given that school commitment is greater when initiatives are driven by the public sector.

Resumen Objetivo: Identificar y caracterizar las iniciativas que fomentan la compra local de alimentos para el suministro de los comedores escolares en España y los centros escolares que las llevan a cabo. Método: Estudio exploratorio y descriptivo, basado en la consulta de fuentes secundarias e informantes clave. Se buscaron iniciativas gubernamentales y no gubernamentales de ámbito autonómico. Las gubernamentales se localizaron a través de los programas de comedores escolares de las comunidades autónomas y sus guías alimentarias, y de representantes de las consejerías de educación y agricultura. Las no gubernamentales se localizaron en páginas web y mediante la técnica de bola de nieve. Dichas iniciativas se analizaron en función de su distribución geográfica, ámbito del organismo promotor (gubernamental o no), número de centros escolares que las desarrollan, forma de gestión de los centros y compra de alimentos ecológicos. Se realizó un análisis descriptivo de los datos. Resultados: Se localizaron 12 iniciativas desarrolladas en 318 centros escolares (un 2,16% del total de centros con servicio de comedor en España). De ellas, seis son gubernamentales, con 274 centros vinculados (1,86%), y seis no son gubernamentales, con 44 centros (0,30%). La mayoría de estos centros son de gestión pública (n = 284). Todas las iniciativas contemplan la compra de alimentos ecológicos. Conclusión: Las iniciativas de compra local de alimentos en España tienen un alcance limitado en los centros escolares. No obstante, la existencia de una directriz estatal podría apoyar y fortalecer su desarrollo, dado que la adhesión de los centros es mayor cuando se impulsa desde el sector público.