From 2017, all of central government will commit to use this new buying standard and cites the Food for Life Catering Mark as a tool for caterers who wish to guarantee a good or excellent performance against the award criteria in the balanced scorecard.
Peter Melchett, Soil Association policy director said: “The Plan for Public Procurement shows that ‘cheapest’ does not always mean ‘best value’, and recognises the potential of procurement to deliver positive social and environmental objectives.
“The Catering Mark provides significant local economic benefits - of over £3 for every £1 invested in a Catering Mark menu.
“Among public sector institutions meeting Catering Mark Standards, 71% report that implementation was cost neutral and 29% report overall cost savings.
“As stated in the plan’s balanced scorecard, the Catering Mark shares common objectives and can provide the independent verification that food providers are meeting Defra’s [Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs] recommendations.”
Based on the government buying standards for food and nutrition, the new plan seeks to achieve consistent standards for all food procured by central government departments, as well as providing best practice recommendations for food providers and procurers who want to further commit to serving good food.
The public sector in England spends £1.2 billion every year on food and drink and it is anticipated that £400 million of potential new business for the British food industry has been opened up by simplifying standards as part of the plan.
Rob Sexton, chief executive of Soil Association certification, added: "I'm delighted to see a joined-up policy across government which aims to set consistent health and sustainability standards for food served in the public sector.
“This is a key step which will bring us one step closer to a healthy public and a secure, environmentally sustainable food system.
“The Catering Mark is already working with the UK's largest food producers to improve the food standards, and we are seeing the benefits of this first-hand with over 900,000 meals being served each day in the public sector.
“The Catering Mark Standards incorporate many of the plan’s recommendations and can provide caterers with a framework to achieve these, and – importantly - with an independent verification that these criteria are being met."