NFU welcomes move to get more local food into schools

The North East NFU has welcomed the Government's announcement that an extra £250m is to be spent improving the quality of school meals, with an increasing emphasis on local food.

According to North Riding and Durham County Chairman, David Hugill– who also produces beef and free range eggs on his farm near Stokesley – this latest announcement comes on the back of growing awareness of the benefits of eating locally produced food and should result in many more opportunities for local farmers to get their produce into schools.

"We have made real progress on this front over recent years, with many growers already benefiting from supplying into the School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme," he said.

"We have also seen several regional projects looking for example at how the tendering process can be simplified for smaller producers, how we can develop a more flexible logistics operation and how schools can incorporate more seasonal food into their menus.

"In addition many local education authorities have looked at their procurement policies with a view to giving higher priority to the 'freshness' that only local food producers can achieve.

"That said, this announcement gives a clear commitment to increasing the opportunities available to smaller producers and that can only be good news."

According to the NFU's spokesman on public procurement, Doncaster farmer Michael Holmes, the opportunity to supply into the public sector is one not to be missed by the region's farmers.

"Local food procurement is good news all round," he said. "It not only offers fresher, healthier food but also results in fewer food miles, less CO2 emissions and better waste management.

"Economically, it will result in more demand for local food and that in turn will help producers financially as well as promoting more local employment.

"As a result, it's crucial farmers get to grips with this fast-developing market and make sure they know how to capitalise on the opportunities it presents."

In announcing the additional £220m, Education Secretary Alan Johnson said part of the money would be spent increasing tendering opportunities for small and local producers.

He said that Defra would be working to increase their capacity to bid successfully for school contracts, in particular helping them collaborate in consortia and with the rest of the food chain.