Prime Minister David Cameron and Environment Secretary Elizabeth Truss have announced this could generate £400 million of potential new business for the British food industry as part of the government’s long-term economic plan to back British businesses.
Cameron said that from 2017 the government would ensure that all food that could be bought locally was bought locally.
“This will be done through a new, simplified food and drink buying standard, ‘The Plan for Public Procurement’, which will benefit thousands of British farmers, small businesses, rural economies and the British public.”
The public sector in England spends £1.2 billion every year on food and drink. Up to £600 million of that is spent on imported produce. It is estimated £400 million of this could be sourced from within the UK.
It means the public sector will be encouraged and supported in using the new framework with the expectation that all schools and hospitals will, in future, serve more locally reared meats and freshly picked fruit and vegetables.
Cameron said: “Our long-term economic plan is all about backing the do-ers and the hard-workers – and no one does more or works as hard in Britain today than our farmers.
“By opening up these contracts, we can help them create more jobs, invest in their businesses and make sure people in our country have a healthier lifestyle.
“It’s a triple win – and will mean a brighter future for our country.”
Environment Secretary Elizabeth Truss added: “This move will mean that food served in canteens across the public sector can be more local, seasonal and tastier.
“It will help drive growth in Britain’s first class food and drink industry and benefit the environment through reduced waste, higher take-up of meals and less unappetising food left on plates.
“This is a huge boost to British farmers and producers and for students, patients and employees who want to enjoy fantastic food.”
Under the new buying standards public sector buyers will now judge potential suppliers against five key criteria:
* how food is produced and whether the food was produced locally
* the health and nutritional content of food purchased
* the resource efficiency of producing the food, such as water and energy use and waste production
* how far the food bought meets government’s socio-economic priorities such as involvement of SMEs
* quality of service and value for money
British farmers are expected to benefit significantly from the plan because British farmers are best placed to meet these tough new standards.
In addition to backing local and sustainable food, the new standards prioritise procurement from smaller producers, thereby helping SMEs gain access to the lucrative public sector market.