Defra reports appointment of independent advisor to review food procurement

Article summary

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has reported that the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Steve Barclay, has appointed Will Quince as an independent advisor to conduct a review into public sector food procurement. Quince’s review will: seek ways to make the procurement process more accessible to small and medium sized businesses and farmers; seek ways to boost animal welfare and environmental standards; look at how the government can further promote high standards for food and catering services; consider opportunities to extend the reach of the existing framework, particularly to education settings; explore how compliance with the Government Buying Standard for food and catering services (GBSF) can be achieved; and explore how institutions can go above and beyond in areas like nutrition or waste prevention.