Defra has committed to 50% of its food spend going towards local and sustainable produce with the Cabinet Office also recently consulting on additional measures to support British business which the NFU has welcomed.
This comes at a time when provisions for free school meals are expanding, and the government is preparing to review its school food standards this autumn.
皇家华人has been engaging with the government, stakeholders, and industry partners to ensure that British farmers and food producers are central to this important market.
NFU Vice-president hosts Defra public procurement team
In July, NFU Vice-president Rachel Hallos hosted the Defra public procurement team on farm to discuss how the government can better support British farmers.
The meeting was productive and collaborative, with challenges and opportunities discussed openly. Within the discussion, Rachel called for Defra鈥檚 50% local and sustainable food commitment to be mandated in procurement standards and for more data to be gathered to aid monitoring and transparency.
She also pressed for the 鈥渉igher environmental鈥� criteria specification within government policy to recognise the wider sustainability measures delivered through farming and government schemes.
The discussion also highlighted the complexities of defining 鈥渓ocal鈥� and the importance of strengthening regional procurement teams to improve market access for British producers.
NFU at the UK鈥檚 leading school food conference
Bethan Cowell, NFU senior policy adviser for foodservice and procurement, also spoke at the 2025 LACA main event, the UK鈥檚 largest school food conference.
As part of a panel discussion on British food sourcing, Bethan explored the benefits of British food, specifically food quality and the social value of sourcing from British farms.聽
皇家华人highlighted the role school meals and the education system can play in building a resilient and thriving food system, boosting farmer confidence, and connecting children with food and farming, both in the classroom and the canteen.
School food standards review
皇家华人is closely monitoring the government鈥檚 upcoming review of its school food standards 鈥� the first since 2014 鈥� and will be engaging with key stakeholders throughout the process.
This month, the NFU's food business unit will take part in the school food APPG (all-party parliamentary group) evidence session, ensuring the views of NFU members are clearly communicated.
A key priority for the NFU is safeguarding the role of red meat and poultry in children鈥檚 diets, a food category on the menu that has faced increasing pressure in recent years.聽
Backed by AHDB鈥檚 latest report, , the NFU is highlighting the nutritional value of meat protein as part of balanced school meal.
Looking ahead
With major policy changes on the horizon, the NFU will continue to champion British food and farming in public procurement. From school canteens to wider public sector supply chains, the goal remains clear 鈥� to create a system that delivers for farmers, supports local economies, and ensures high-quality, sustainable food for the public.
