The film was made at Holkham Estate in Norfolk where Alexia Robinson, founder and chief executive of Love British Food, led the most recent farm visit in the campaign’s programme to encourage NHS catering teams to consider British sourcing.
Robinson commented: “We know it is not enough to ask catering teams to buy British. We need to explain why. So, the aim of these farm visits has been to enthuse catering teams to see ‘buying British’ as a ‘carrot’ rather than a ‘Buying Standards stick’ as I fear the perpetually consulted upon New Government Buying Standards make it sound.
“I genuinely believe these visits have created excitement about buying British in NHS catering teams. Together with the farmers who have hosted the visits with me, we have answered the question ‘Why buy British’ and explained how doing so contributes to patient outcomes, sustainability, net zero goals and Trusts’ role as anchor institutions for supporting their community.
“I think the debate about the public sector buying 50% British food and how it is defined is a fruitless exercise…. round and round in circles we go and the new Ministerial team will go as we have done for more than a decade. I believe to my core that there is a better way…inspiring, empowering and enabling catering teams, food service organisations and suppliers rather than issuing diktats.”
Love British Food has now hosted 43 hospitals from 36 NHS Trusts on farm visits. Over 190 people have attended these visits, but the message has reached far more as catering managers have gone back to their trusts to discuss the importance and role of British sourcing with their dietitian and procurement leads.
Phil Shelley, chair NHS Food Review and national lead for net zero food, said: “The farm visit programme that Alexia has created for our teams has influenced and empowered those attending to go back into their Trusts and take actions, including, where they currently source their food and how to create flexible menus with seasonal products.
“Love British Food’s farm visits have opened up conversations and started to prepare the larger manufactures and distributors to work differently. Relationships are being built as a result and they changing the mentality and methodology in the attitude to buying British and working directly with the farming industry. Good food continues to be at the heart of our health and well-being, and the link between field and the plate never changes.”
Farm visits encourage NHS caterers to go back into their trust and look at where they currently source from, produce a provenance map and discuss options with suppliers. The visits also encourage them to consider flexible menus that enable seasonal sourcing.
Tim Radcliffe, net zero food programme manager, added: “The benefits from Love British Food’s farm visits may take time to show. When you plant a seed, you don’t get fruit that year or even next year. But what we are doing through the farm visit programme is planting seeds, raising the consciousness and highlighting the opportunities.
“This is as much for farmers and growers as caterers. Our aim is to have a more robust, transparent, sustainable British supply chain. This provides better outcomes for our patients and puts our hospitals at the heart of our communities. And Alexia’s work taking NHS catering teams round farms is a key part of achieving this.”
List of Love British Food Farm Visits for NHS caterers:
- Overbury Estate nr Tewkesbury, Feb 2022
- Hollis Mead Organic Dairy, West Dorset, May 2022
- Moor Farm, Hereford Beef, North Shropshire, May 2023
- The Organic Pantry vegetable growers, Tadcaster, Yorkshire, May 2023
- Farm Ed, regenerative farming demonstration centre, September 2023
- Public Sector Influencers event: Hammonds End mixed farm, Hertfordshire, March 2024
- Carraig Dubh Dexters Hammonds End Farm, Northern Ireland, May 2024
- Holden Farm Dairy, Bwlchwernen Fawr, Lampeter, Wales, June 2024
- Holkham Estate, June 2024