Public Sector Sustainable Food Procurement Initiative - Meet the Buyer Event
Case Study: Meet the Buyer EventRegion: Bristol
Organisation: Bristol City Council
Description:
The meet the buyer event was organised by the Soil Association, Organic Networks and Bristol City Council. The event linked local growers and producers with the council and the council's current distributors/ suppliers in order to establish links and to help local suppliers to supply the council with food. There was a chance for an informal information exchange as well as formalised discussions about the requirements of the council and the needs of local producers. The ability of the producers to meet the requirements of the council and the council's ability to enhance the regional and local economy through its procurement was also discussed. There were tasting sessions and presentations. The event gave sellers a valuable opportunity to meet people who could expand their distribution network while buyers could taste the food and experience the high quality.
Benefits
- Networking and information exchange.
- A clearer understanding from both the suppliers and purchases of what is achievable and what is required.
- Contract Services Catering now purchase large bottles of local, organic milk from Manor Farm. The milk is served to pupils in reusable plastic beakers which are better for the environment than individual packaging.
Lessons learned during implementation
- It is important to ensure that everyone understands the main pressures of running a catering service and those of producing and growing food and providing food services. This will help a greater understanding between producer and provider and will ease communications and facilitate greater achievements.
Future developments
The possibility of using more local, organic suppliers for fruit and vegetables has been examined. However, there is currently a supply/price problem. It is hoped that this will be alleviated in the near future.
A selection process is currently underway in order to identify a group of pilot schools for the introduction of more local and organic food. Once the pilot scheme is established it is hoped that more schools will be able to be introduced to the scheme and the amount of local and organic food that is purchased and supplied will be increased even further.
Further information
For further information please contact:
Sue Burke,
Contract Services,
Bristol City Council,
Sandy Park Road,
Brislington,
Bristol
0117 9036267
sue_burke@bristol-city.gov.uk
Sustainable City Team,
CREATE Centre,
Bristol City Council,
Bristol,
BS1 6XN
0117 9224472
sustainable_city@bristol-city.gov.uk
Page last modified:
23 September 2005
Page published: 8 June 2004