Improving School Food Procurement Practices

Background The Government aims to improve public sector food procurement by ensuring half of all public sector food is locally produced or meets higher environmental standards. Schools are central to this goal as they account for approximately half of all public sector food and catering spending. Context This project addresses significant public health challenges: one in three children in England leave primary school overweight or obese, with rates more than double in the most deprived areas. School meals provide an opportunity to improve nutrition and establish healthier eating habits, particularly as packed lunches often fail to meet School Food Standards. Most schools rely on external caterers, creating a need for stronger procurement capabilities to set robust specifications and secure suppliers who can deliver quality outcomes affordably. Project Scope This project will improve how schools procure food by supporting them to: • Procure higher quality, more sustainable food • Reduce food waste • Better engage pupils with the food system • Strengthen nutrition outcomes and support long-term health and wellbeing The successful contractor will: • Design and deliver a comprehensive improvement programme for school food procurement practices • Establish a robust monitoring and evaluation framework with clear performance baselines • Generate evidence and insights to shape future education and public sector food procurement policy Delivery Approach Defra has not prescribed a specific delivery method. Contractors are encouraged to apply professional judgement, identify effective solutions and propose innovative approaches. A detailed delivery plan will be agreed with Defra following appointment. Funding Defra has provisionally allocated £2 million RDEL over 15 months, based on comparable initiatives such as Food for Life Served Here. This project supports the Government's Good Food Cycle and Plan for Change by promoting healthier, more affordable food and a sustainable, resilient food supply chain.