Defra is seeking views on possible changes to public sector food and catering policy. The consultation opened on 13 June and will close on 4 September 2022. The consultation, which was launched with the National Food Strategy, is looking at:
- The standards for food and drink within the public sector (The Government Buying Standards for food and catering)
- Procurement data
- How Government can support the implementation of these standards
The NFU wants to see procurers and contracting authorities sourcing more food from their members’ businesses. The NFU also stated they welcomed a target of 50% of food expenditure on local or higher environmental food production standards. Additionally the NFU said they would welcome menu cycling to enable more seasonal menus to be delivered within the public sector.
Andy Jones, winner of the 2022 Public Sector Catering Lifetime Achievement Award and immediate past chair of the PSC100 Group, said: “This is such an important consultation for those supplying and working in our public sector. This is our opportunity to support each other and work together.”
To find the consultation visit: https://consult.defra.gov.uk/public-sector-food-procurement/food-and-catering-consultation/.