# Italian collective catering industry advocacy > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/italian-collective-catering-industry-advocacy > Updated: 2026-09-15T04:47:44.000Z. Sources: 18. Developments: 2. ANIR Confindustria has begun advocating for the recognition of collective catering as a vital welfare service, termed ‘Public Food’. This concept frames food services in schools, hospitals, and workplaces as critical infrastructure essential for public health, nutrition, and social inclusion. During the IMMENSE 2026 event in Rome, industry leaders expanded on this position by calling for greater regulatory certainty and the integration of suppliers into a structured supply chain. While noting a shift toward stability in public procurement, officials expressed concerns regarding cost recognition in contracts and the potential impact of new European procurement regulations on Italian sustainability and labor standards. The organization has requested a specific government delegation to oversee these essential services. At the conference, Paolo Valente, Director General of Anir Confindustria, highlighted that many companies face imbalanced contracts where costs are not adequately recognized. Addressing the workforce, Walter Rizzetto, President of the Chamber of Deputies' Labor Commission, identified wages, bilateralism, and price revision as top priorities to ensure better working conditions for the sector’s thousands of employees. Massimo Piacenti, President of Anir Confindustria, reiterated the call for the sector to be recognized as a vital part of Italian industry to support social and economic sustainability. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-15: Italian food service leaders call for regulatory certainty At the Immense 2026 conference, Italian food service leaders called for improved public procurement rules, wage stability, and price revision mechanisms to support the large-scale catering industry. 18 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/open-mind-tour-visits-jrc-ispra-to-explore-innovation ### 2026-08-19: ANIR Confindustria defines ‘Public Food’ as essential welfare service ANIR Confindustria defines ‘Public Food’ as a vital welfare service in schools and hospitals. In Italy, unequal access to school meals remains a challenge for social inclusion and nutrition. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/anir-confindustria-defines-public-food-as-essential-welfare-service --- Cite as: Italian collective catering industry advocacy. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/italian-collective-catering-industry-advocacy