The forum brings together leading voices from the public sector to discuss market priority topics, including health, education, care, defense and justice.

Bethan Cowell, NFU Senior Policy Specialist for Foodservice and Supply, presented at the public session, taking the opportunity to summarize the current policy and business landscape for UK farmers. The discussion also focused on how government and the supply chain can support domestic production through policy, collaboration and procurement.

Turning the manifesto commitment into policy

The presentation also highlighted the need for the UK to address food security and supply chain resilience.

Bethan explained why it was essential to discuss the need to improve farmer confidence through greater collaboration within the supply chain and market, coming together to deliver shared messages to government.

This message is vital, especially as the NFU wants to understand how the new government will turn into policy the manifesto commitment that 50% of food in public sector procurement must be locally and sustainably sourced.

UK food should support public sector power

The NFU has long spoken out in public sector procurement on the need for procurement policy to be a mechanism for government to invest in its own agri-food supply chain, and that procurement can be an engine of growth and resilience.

UK power supply should support public sector power supply.

Overall, the forum was another key opportunity to build relationships within the public sector catering – a sector with which the NFU has built closer and more meaningful relationships over the past five years.

Our thanks to the event organizers for their continued support in welcoming farmers and producers to public sector catering events.