Project to Improve School Food Procurement Practices

Background

The Government seeks to improve public sector food procurement (PSFP). Subject to legal constraints, it aims for half of all public sector food to be locally produced or certified to higher environmental standards. The new National Procurement Policy Statement, published in February 2025, sets expectations for government contracts to favour products meeting higher environmental standards.

This project supports these ambitions by improving school food procurement practices which will lead to enhanced food quality and sustainability, reduced food waste and primary and secondary pupils being better engaged with the food system.

Schools account for approximately half of public sector food and catering expenditure and are therefore central to delivery of PSFP ambitions. This is particularly important given childhood obesity and persistent health inequalities. In England, about one in three children leave primary school overweight or obese; those in the most deprived areas face more than twice the risk of those in the least deprived; and lower-income children consume substantially less fruit, vegetables, oily fish and fibre. As packed lunches rarely meet the School Food Standards (SFS), school meals can improve nutrition, establish healthier food habits and support long-term wellbeing. Because most schools use external caterers, they need stronger procurement capability to set robust specifications and appoint suppliers able to deliver these outcomes without driving up costs.

The project also supports the Government’s Good Food Cycle and the Plan for Change by promoting healthier, more affordable food and a sustainable, resilient supply chain.

Defra has provisionally allocated £2 million RDEL over 15 months, based on comparable initiatives such as Food for Life Served Here.

Aims

The successful contractor will:

• design and deliver a project that improves school food procurement practices;
• establish a robust framework to monitor and report progress, including evaluation baselines where required; and
• generate evidence and insights to inform future education and PSFP activity.

Defra has not prescribed the delivery approach. The contractor is expected to apply professional judgement, identify effective options and consider innovation. Following appointment, the contractor will agree a detailed delivery plan with Defra.