Middle East Technical University (METU) enforces a comprehensive procurement policy that prioritizes the purchase of food products from local, sustainable, and ethically responsible sources across all campus dining facilities and third-party food outlets, within applicable legal frameworks and budgetary constraints.

1. Sustainable Procurement Policy & Institutional Commitment

Under the official METU "Sustainable Food Policy", the university formally commits to:

• Local & Sustainable Sourcing: Ensuring that all food consumed on campus—whether from land or sea—is produced using sustainable methods and sourced from local producers to the greatest extent possible within budgetary constraints.
• Workforce & Ethical Standards: Supporting sustainable agricultural conditions, including fair labor and working conditions for workers involved in food production.
• Campus-Wide Coverage (All Outlets): Extending these sustainable procurement commitments to all food outlets operating on campus, including university-operated cafeterias, third-party sellers, and external suppliers.

2. Legal Framework, Quality Control & Certification

Food procurement at METU Cafeteria is governed strictly by national food safety laws and international quality assurance standards:

• Legal Compliance: All purchases are executed in accordance with Public Procurement Law No. 4734 and the Turkish Food Codex Regulation (Türk Gıda Kodeksi Yönetmeliği).
• ISO 22000 & TSE Standards: All food suppliers and contractors are required to comply with ISO 22000 Food Safety Management System standards and relevant Turkish Standards Institution (TSE) quality criteria.
• Prioritisation Mechanism: Within the legal and technical boundaries set by public procurement legislation, technical specifications actively prioritize suppliers that provide certified, local, and sustainably produced ingredients.

https://kafeterya.metu.edu.tr/tarihce

https://kms.kaysis.gov.tr/Home/Kurum/24308110

http://sustainablecampus.metu.edu.tr/en/policies