Food and farming minister Lord Whitty has told public sector bodies at the first major national food procurement conference in London this week that they should lead in implementing government policy on food. They can do this by offering meals in hospitals, schools, prisons and local government canteens that are in keeping with the 5-a-day campaign, consider animal welfare and environmental cost as well as local sourcing and reducing waste and promoting organics.
"In turn, food producers and suppliers need to learn more about the demands of the public sector on cost and quality and how they can meet that market," said Lord Whitty.
He was reporting on progress so far in his department's review of public sector caterers and buyers. The initiative is also examining whether small producers are being given a fair chance to compete for public-sector contracts.
The initiative and Lord Whitty's comments have been welcomed by the Fresh Produce Consortium which has already been prison services in the UK in making changes to the way they purchase fruit and vegetables.
"The FPC has been pressing for a number of years for the government to review its purchasing of food particularly with regard to the provision of nutritious meals that include fruit and vegetables," said FPC ceo Doug Henderson. "We are delighted that Lord Whitty has taken this initiative which is entirely consistent with the views of the Fresh Produce Consortium and we look forward to working with government agencies to ensure it happens."
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