Buying produce which comes from a local supplier is not only better for the environment and regional economy but can also result in efficiency savings being made because the food has less distance to travel.
As part of the Government's Strategy for Sustainable Farming and Food (SSFF), purchasing staff from across the East Midlands are being invited to a workshop called Smarter Food Procurement in the Public Sector. It takes place on Wednesday, 21 March at PERA Innovation Centre, Melton Mowbray.
The workshop, which has been organised by the East Midlands Centre of Excellence (EMCE) in partnership with the Government Office for the East Midlands (GOEM), will feature a detailed analysis of food spend across the region - by supplier, by product, by invoice values and volumes, and by SME category.
Tania Osborne, co-ordinator for Think Farming and Food at GOEM, said:
"Sustainable food procurement is all about better nutrition, looking at where food comes from, how it is produced and transported and where it ends up. Most of all, it's about defining best value as money well spent on food budgets now will make longer term savings. It creates a better environment, and provides increased opportunities for local producers which helps to maintain employment and foster thriving communities. With 29.5% of the East Midlands population living in rural areas, the rural economy plays a critical part in the economic success of the whole East Midlands."
Speakers at the event include Adrian Leake from the Office of Government Commerce who will speak about the practicalities of implementing a best value sustainable procurement policy, showing examples of how it has been achieved. He will be joined by Jenny Morse from The North West Food Alliance, who will offer her perspective on how collaborative sourcing can work to meet sustainable objectives.
Anyone interesting in attending can get more information by emailing andrew.foster@nottscc.gov.uk or calling 07921 491 699. To register for the event, email lois.dale@nottscc.gov.uk or call 0115 977 4921.
