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Farmers dump vegetables at Riga City Hall over school catering tender

Riga, Latvia · Nov 12, 2026

Is it still on?

NOIt was a one-day action on Nov 12.

Last report · checked

The Tea in three lines

Why they are protesting
Farmers are protesting against Riga City Council's school catering procurement rules which may favor foreign produce over local suppliers.
What they want
Farmers demand transparent procurement conditions, real supply controls, and predictable cooperation opportunities for local producers.
What changed
Nov 12: Farmers dumped several tonnes of vegetables outside Riga City Hall to protest the school catering tender.
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Both sides

What protesters want

  • Transparent procurement conditions
  • Real supply and origin controls
  • Predictable cooperation opportunities for local producers
  • Prioritisation of local and organic produce for school meals

Organised by: Zemnieku saeima

What authorities say

Riga City Council had not responded publicly to the protest by the time of publication, according to reports. Previously in September, deputy mayor Vilnis Ķirsis stated that the city could not halt the tender due to the risk of leaving children without lunches.3

The full story

On November 12, 2026, farmers organised by the Zemnieku saeima association dumped several tonnes of locally grown vegetables outside Riga City Hall in protest against the municipality's school food procurement and catering contracts. The organisers are concerned that the current tender terms allow products to be sourced from up to 300 kilometres away, extending into neighbouring countries where local quality and origin are harder for inspectors to verify. According to the sources, the city announced a 26.8 million euro catering tender for 27 educational institutions and plans another for 101 institutions. Protest representatives stated they are tired of unfulfilled promises and warned that further actions could follow if policies do not change. Riga City Council did not immediately respond to the demonstration, though city leadership previously stated in September that the tender could not be halted without risking children's school lunches.

Timeline

  1. Farmers dumped several tonnes of vegetables outside Riga City Hall in protest over school food procurement.1234

Pins sit on city centres, never on gathering points

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