Farmers, food producers and public sector caterers are to meet to discuss the best approach to providing more sustainably produced foods for hospitals, schools and government catering.
The conference forms part of the Sustainable Food and Farming Strategy for the region supporting a Defra initiative on public sector food procurement.
The event is being organised by the rural team at the government office for the east of England led by Mike Barnes. He said: “Government recognises that public sector spending on goods and services has massive economic, social and environmental impacts and food procurement is a big part of this. Local authorities, government departments and agencies, the NHS and other public bodies are being encouraged to develop sustainable procurement policies.
“In the past purchasers in these organisations have usually sourced their produce from large volume suppliers but the aim is now to help them deliver a range of local benefits from buying locally.”
The free seminar will take place at Ely, Cambridgeshire on March 19. Those wishing to attend should contact Sarah Prentice on
Sprentice.go-eat@go-regions.gsi.gov.uk.
