Council caterers are urged to buy British…

Local authority caterers are being urged by council chiefs to think British when buying food for staff canteens, school meals and meals-on-wheels services.

The Local Government Association (LGA) said last week that it would back the National Farmers Union's Proud to Serve British campaign to encourage the use of home-grown produce.

"As this is a very difficult time for our farmers and the whole of British agriculture we must all pull together to help this troubled but vital industry," said Alison Clish-Green, chairman of the LGA's Rural Commission.

The call for 450 councils nationwide to rethink their food purchasing policies is particularly timely in view of the abolition of compulsory competitive tendering, under which cost is the key deciding factor for councils' spending decisions. It is hoped that by the summer this will be replaced by a new policy, Best Value.

"Although cost will still be an issue, Best Value will put emphasis on what is perceived to be better quality. It will give local councils much more flexibility," said Clish-Green.

by Christina Golding