Public Sector Sustainable Food Procurement Initiative - An Apple A Day - Local Independent Initiative Benefits School Children
Case Study: Somerset Apples for Somerset Schools
Region: South West
Organisation: Growing to Win
Description
Somerset's schools are to receive locally grown apples as part of their midday meal through an initiative that aims to introduce more local produce into school catering contracts.
Mary Hughes, who launched the "Growing to Win Initiative" last year, said she was particularly pleased that she has been able to work with the 8 main catering contractors in the County and their suppliers. "All the companies have been very supportive and have promised to promote apples in their menus and fruit bowls. I have been delighted at the positive responses from both caterers and schools," she said.
Benefits
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Guaranteed freshness of produce and seasonal supply.
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Improved health and nutrition for local children.
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Promotion of the scheme to encourage other local producers to compete to supply food in the future, e.g. local dairy farmers supply milk, butter and cheese.
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Promotion of local producers and suppliers within the sustainable development initiative.
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Provision for local producers of a support network, information and pooling etc.
Lessons Learned During Implementation
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The "Growing to Win Initiative" is an independent advisory service designed for farmers, growers, wholesalers, schools and their caterers and provides procurement advice leading to successful tendering using locally sourced food. The setting up of this initiative raises the awareness of the supply chain concept which is about the linkage of the immediate seller/buyer relationship into a longer series of events.
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West Bradley Orchard, near Glastonbury will supply the apples that will be delivered by wholesalers Banbury of Yeovil and Cossey Ltd, who are based in Bridgwater.
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Somerset apples will be available in schools on Apple Day - the 21st October and also for the remainder of the season.
Future developments
- Mary will continue to campaign for more local food to be used in local authority contracts and hopes that the success of this initiative will result in other local foods such as milk, cheese and yoghurt as well as vegetables and meat being used by caterers in their school meals.
- Next steps will also include supporting local growers and distributors in successfully tendering for the National Schools Fruit Scheme contract when it is unveiled in the South West region in 2004.
Further information
Mary Hughes
Growing to Win
Telephone: 01823 480044
E-mail: mary.hughes@ukonline.co.uk
Page published: 17 October 2003