Local food producers are being invited to apply to become part of Bath & North East Somerset Council’s pioneering new school food contract.
The Council runs a very successful catering service supplying meals to over 60 local primary schools and nurseries.
In the past, a traditional procurement approach was taken, with one supplier appointed for each food category.
But, following discussions with local food suppliers, the Council has put in place a new system that will allow more small producers to supply fresh produce.
The key benefits of the new approach will be:
- Local, healthy food for local primary school children (with the potential to roll out to academies too);
- Increased options for seasonal produce on the menu;
- Greater opportunities for local producers and suppliers to supply schools; resulting in a wider choice of suppliers;
- Consolidation of orders and one delivery drop; meaning a reduction in carbon emissions.
Cllr Martin Veal (Conservative, Bathavon North), the Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Services, said: “We’re making it much simpler for small, independent producers to supply food to our local schools.
“The contracts are being set up so that producers could supply anything from one to 60 schools – so you really don’t need to be a big business to get involved.
“All local food producers and farmers will have a product that could be used in schools so I would encourage all of them to get involved so we can ensure local, good food is being eaten by our school children.
“When the new contracts come into place in September, this will increase choice for our school cooks, allowing them to provide fresher, more nutritious foods as well as improving value for money for schools.”
The tender process is now open and any food businesses who want to find out more should visit http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/foodcontract or call Linda McCalister on 01225 477273.
Schools already taking the Council’s school meal service will automatically benefit from the new way of working, but other primary schools can benefit too.
They will be able to join the Council’s new contract, which will simplify their procurement and help them save money, by benefiting from the economies of scale.
The Council is working with Bristol-based, independent, online food store Fresh-Range to pilot the new system, with Fresh-Range being responsible for all orders and deliveries.
The new initiative will also be promoted at farmers’ markets across Bath and North East Somerset to encourage more local suppliers to get involved and reap the rewards.
