Grants to strengthen public sector food procurement

A number of English local authorities have been awarded £155,000 each to improve food procurement practices.

Pupils, patients and public sector workers are set to benefit from healthier, more sustainably sourced meals.

Councils will use the funding to improve how food is procured, increase the provision of healthier and more sustainable food options, and support local and small food businesses to understand better how to supply to the public sector. 

The public sector currently spends £4.9 billion on food and catering every year.

Lessons learned from these grants will then be used to help other councils source healthier, more sustainable and better value food.

The government has a goal for at least half of all public sector food to be sourced locally or certified to higher environmental standards.

Food Security Minister Dame Angela Eagle said: "With nearly £5 billion spent on food and catering in England each year, the public sector has enormous purchasing power. 

"That is a real opportunity to improve public health, back local businesses and build more sustainable food supply chains. 

"By learning from those already leading the way, we can raise food procurement standards right across England and ensure our food procurement spend delivers for the local economy."

Kath Dalmeny, Chief Executive of the Sustain food and farming alliance that helps to run the Sustainable Food Places Network, said: “We’re thrilled to see five leading Sustainable Food Places enabled to support British and sustainable farmers get their food onto people’s plates, in schools and hospitals around the country. Public sector food buying contracts – paid for by taxpayers’ money – are an essential way for places to help more British farmers produce healthy food in a way that restores nature, preserves soil and vital pollinators, and reduces dangerous greenhouse gas emissions. Defra’s investment in helping local councils and food partnerships to be able to roll up their sleeves and facilitate the contracts, and the flow of fresh food supplies into public catering services is very welcome news. With a focus on fruit, veg and pulses, what a great way to help British horticulture to grow and thrive! We look forward to learning from these initiatives and seeing them rolled out in more places over time.”