February 2009 A survey to explore the main issues related to school food procurement, the challenges involved, areas where support may be helpful and how efficiencies could be delivered and sustainability improved.
The objectives of the survey were to obtain information from LAs about:
- Spend on school meal catering services, food and equipment
- Collaborative procurement
- Standards and specifications required by suppliers
- The impact of increased food costs
- Sustainability issues relating to the provision of food in schools
- Procurement skills and training
- Challenges relating to the provision of food in schools
The findings provide a better understanding of the issues and challenges involved in school food procurement, and will be used to help inform the programme of work being undertaken by the cross-government Food Category Board.
