British Food Fortnight - The Public Sector Food Procurement Initiative (PSFPI)

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Public Procurement - General Information

For the first time British Food Fortnight is focusing in particular on public procurement: the NHS, Ministry of Defence, prison service and all Government departments are being challenged to join the national celebration and put British on their menus during the Fortnight.

Public sector procurers are not allowed under the European Treaty to restrict purchases to specific countries. However by specifying food that is seasonally available, buyers should be able to achieve value for money by buying in-season products at competitive prices without contravening EC rules.

“British Food Fortnight is an ideal catalyst for finding new suppliers and sourcing more sustainably. Hospitals, schools and staff restaurants putting British on the menu during the event have proved it is possible to source locally.”
Mark Holmes, ADAS, who helped Sheffield Teaching Hospitals source locally as part of the White Rose Red Meat Initiative.

The Public Sector Food Procurement Initiative (PSFPI)

The public sector in England spends £2 billion on food and catering services.

For more information about PSFPI follow this link.

For tools and guidance follow this link.

To find resources specifically aimed at people in your region follow this link.

Resources for buyers, specifiers, decision takers and stakeholders...

“Putting it into practice” - PB12955 February 2008. Use this link.

Catering Services and Food Procurement Toolkit. Use this link.

Model specification clauses for delivering PSFPI objectives (i.e. information to assist writing specification clauses). Use this link (Word document).

Looking for safe, assured and traceable food for the public sector? - Leaflet promoting farm assurance standards.

A fresh look at school food procurement efficiency and sustainability School Food Trust guide to help schools and local authorities become more efficient and sustainable in their procurement of food and provision of catering services. Use this link.

Food Policy in Schools - Catering and Food Procurement Supplement Guide for governors on how to produce whole school policy statements to promote healthy food and improve sustainability and efficiency in their procurement of food and provision of catering services. Use this link (PDF format).

Resources for public bodies wanting to actively engage in the PSFPI

e.g. developing local supply networks

“DIY guide to implementing the PSFPI - advice for practitioners” PB 12348. URL: Use this link.

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We want to hear from you

The organisers of British Food Fortnight want to hear from you.

Let us know what you are organising. To have your event, shop, pub or restaurant listed on the website and included in press information please use this link to our contact details and our e-mail contact form.

Or - for general use - follow this link to download a fax-back form.

Or - schools - follow this link to download a fax-back form.

Please complete the appropriate form and send it back to us.