Addressing the Public Sector Catering Expo at the NEC via Zoom yesterday (March 15th), she told the audience: “Over the last two years Covid has tested the strength of our food supply system, it was challenging and very difficult.
“But you all rose to the occasion and now this is a re-set moment because we hope we can start to live with Covid and put health and sustainability at the heart of everything we do.
“And we need you to help us by telling us about the way you buy and serve food. This consultation proposes significant changes to public sector procurement, including Government Buying Standards for Food and Catering Services [GBSF#].
“This new work will cover everything from food supply to sustainable catering services, achieving our net zero targets, biodiversity and diet-related ill health.
“This will include mandating that 50% of food budgets must be spent on food that is either local or produced to higher standards.
“Your views are welcome. This is a change in policy and the consultation is an opportunity to say what you think.”
Alluding to the continuing crisis in Ukraine, she warned that food supply chains would inevitably be affected because ‘the war had added to existing inflationary pressures’.