29.03.04
Defra backs local food for local
hospitals
Defra is backing ambitious plans for local hospitals in Cornwall
to increase the opportunities for local farmers and growers
to compete to supply them with fresh wholesome produce, which
is good for patients and staff alike and also the local economy.
Following a detailed study part funded by Defra and the Cornwall
and Isles of Scilly Objective One Programme, plans are being
drawn-up for a £4 million food production unit in Cornwall.
The new facility will supply 1.2 million meals a year to
hospitals throughout Cornwall to patients, staff, visitors
and to students at the new Peninsula Medical School in Truro.
Cornwall's hospitals will need to source an estimated 11,700
kg of bacon, 13,300kg of diced pork, 19,000kg of cauliflowers,
10,900 beef pasties and 17,700 kg of Cheddar cheese in a single
year, based on current purchasing levels.
In the latest phase, Defra and Objective One are investing
£225,000 towards the set-up costs of the scheme, which
includes a local food supply and distribution system. The
money will be used to employ two full-time staff, establish
an office and launch a website for the project.
Food and Farming Minister, Lord Whitty, visited Cornwall
last year to hear details of the scheme.
He said: "This is a great project which could serve
as an example for other areas to follow. Sourcing food locally
has tremendous benefits all round. Patients get fresh, wholesome
produce, the need for food to be packed and transported across
the country is reduced and local farmers and producers benefit
from a huge market on their doorstep.”
Tony Gardner, Chief Executive of Cornwall Partnership Trust,
who is leading the project for the health community, said: "Good physical and mental health is reliant upon lots
of factors, which include a good diet but there is also a
great deal of evidence linking health with the environment
and the economy. This project scores on all counts - as well
as providing the fresh food it will also reduce pollution
from long haul transport and increase local employment and
the incomes for growers and producers locally. We are delighted
that so many, especially Defra and Objective One, have had
the foresight to support us.”
Editor's notes:
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The project builds on a number of successful
contracts already signed between the NHS in Cornwall and local
suppliers including £150,000 for fruit, vegetables and
cheeses and £100,000 for milk. |
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The work will involve a partnership approach between
the NHS, producers, suppliers and distributors. In addition
to the local supply network, plans will also be made for a
new processing plant, storage facilities and distribution
services within Cornwall. |
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Buying food locally is also expected to create new
jobs in Cornwall. Nationally the NHS spends around £500
million per year on food. In Cornwall, the figure is £1.75
million with around 60% spent with suppliers outside Cornwall
and the Isles of Scilly. In addition to patients and visitors,
the NHS also caters for around 10,000 staff in Cornwall. |
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Lord Whitty announced a major review of the way food
and catering services are purchased by the Government and
its agencies including schools, hospitals, prisons and local
authorities, last year. The review by public sector caterers
and buyers being coordinated by the Department for Environment,
Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is looking at issues such as
the environmental impact of production and distribution, waste,
energy and biodiversity, animal welfare and pesticide use
and nutrition. |
It will also examine whether small producers
are being given a fair chance to compete for public sector
contracts and whether the type of food served can contribute
to organisations' wider objectives.
The review involves all public sector purchasers
in England, including the National Health Service, which is
Europe's biggest public sector purchaser.
The initiative will focus on ensuring:
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public sector food and catering contracts specify appropriate
standards for the food being purchased including the food
production standards - for instance, animal welfare and pesticide
use and overall environmental impacts |
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small and medium-sized suppliers are aware of public
sector tendering procedures and are given opportunities to
compete |
|
food with health benefits is promoted in public sector
canteens in line with other government initiatives on nutrition
and healthy eating |
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environmental impacts are reduced, the procurement
of organic food is promoted and waste reduced |
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supply-side difficulties among UK producers are identified
and tackled |
The initiative is part of the government's
Strategy for Sustainable Farming and Food and will feed into
the Framework for Sustainable Development on the Government
Estate. It will work within UK policy and the EC Treaty, and
EU rules on public procurement.
Issued on behalf of Defra by the Government
News Network South West.
For further information please contact Wailim
Wong on 01752 635053 or 07748
Jason Clark
Communications Adviser
Objective One Partnership Office
Castle House
Pydar Street
Truro TR1 2UD
Tel: 01872 241379
Fax: 01872 241388
objectiveone@cornwall.gov.uk
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