Sustainable food procurement initiative
Case Study: Fresh Meat Contract for Staffordshire County Council, Social
Care and Health Directorate
Case Study
Fresh Meat Contract for Staffordshire County Council, Social Care and Health Directorate
Region
West Midlands
Organisation
Staffordshire County Council
Description
A contract for the period of three years to supply fresh meat and poultry to Social, Care & Health establishments has been negotiated with eight small independent butchers or farmer butchers to supply residential homes, Day Services and early learning centres.
Input from colleagues representing Procurement, Trading Standards and Legal Services ensures that the contract complies with EU and UK legislation.
The comprehensive contract specification covers all aspects of the produce including, permitted fat content, weight of joints, presentation and packaging requirements etc.
Tenderers were asked to state the origin and source of the meat, poultry and other produce included in the tender. All meat and poultry are sourced from within either Staffordshire, or the West Midlands and the maximum distance from butcher to establishment is ten miles.
Benefits
- The establishments receive good quality, locally reared/produced meat, poultry etc.
- Flexibility of delivery days and times.
- The development of a good working relationship between the butcher and the cook ensures that the appropriate cut/type of meat is purchased for the relevant dish.
- Less plate waste.
- Small order quantities are available if required; this is an important consideration, as establishments operate a two hot and one cold choice menu plus snacks daily.
Future developments
- Staff at establishments constantly monitor the quality of produce supplied by the contracted butchers; prices are reviewed centrally on a quarterly basis. EHO and Trading Standards officers also monitor the butchers produce and premises.
It is the policy of Staffordshire County Council to encourage the support of local producers of foodstuffs wherever possible.
Further information
Nigel Shutes
Catering Officer
Social Care and Health
Staffordshire County Council
01785 277099
nigel.shutes@staffordshire.gov.uk
Joy Cooper
Procurement Officer
Staffordshire Purchasing
Staffordshire County Council
01785 356267
joy.cooper@staffordshire.gov.uk
Page published: 14 October 2005