Karl McCartney MP is urging local schools and hospitals to back a Government initiative which could see £400 million of potential new business heading the way of British farmers and food producers.
The ‘Plan for Public Procurement’, announced by the Prime Minister and Environment Secretary Elizabeth Truss this week, will benefit thousands of British farmers, small businesses, rural economies and the British public by introducing a new, simplified food and drink buying standard.
From 2017, all of central government will commit to buying fresh, locally sourced, seasonal food, so that all food that can be bought locally will be bought locally. The wider public sector will be encouraged and supported in using the new framework with the expectation that all schools and hospitals will, in future, serve more locally reared meats and freshly picked fruit and vegetables.
The public sector in England spends £1.2 billion every year on food and drink. Up to £600 million of that is spent on imported produce, £400 million of which could be up for grabs by British producers.
British farmers and growers are expected to benefit significantly from the Plan because they will be best placed to meet these flexible criteria – criteria which will also remove the pressure that many schools and hospitals felt the EU rules placed on them to buy on the basis of cost alone.
As well as backing local and sustainable food, the new standards enable procurement from smaller producers which should mean more competition, less waste and reduced costs.
Karl McCartney MP said: “I urge all local organisations to back this initiative.
“It is excellent news for farmers and food producers in Lincoln, providing them with a real opportunity to supply our schools and hospitals with more of their locally-produced, top-quality food.
“It will mean a more secure future for our local farmers and will ensure that our school children and hospital patients are able to enjoy the best of British every day.”
Environment Secretary Elizabeth Truss said: “This move will mean that food served in canteens across the public sector can be more local, seasonal and tastier.
“It will help drive growth in Britain’s first class food and drink industry and benefit the environment through reduced waste, higher take-up of meals and less unappetising food left on plates.
“This is a huge boost to British farmers and producers and for students, patients and employees who want to enjoy fantastic food.”
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For further information, please contact Karl McCartney MP at [email protected] / 020 7219 7221.