Small food producers in and around Bath are being urged to apply to become part of pioneering new school dinners contract in the city that promotes local produce.
Under the new scheme, primary school children across the city could soon be tucking into locally grown, healthy food and enjoying more variety based on seasonal produce. 
Bath & North East Somerset Council previously operated a traditional procurement approach to its catering service, which supplies meals to more than 60 primary schools and nurseries.
That meant only one supplier could be appointed for each food category.
But following discussions with local food suppliers, a new system has been introduced that will allow more small producers to supply fresh produce – in some cases they could supply just one local school.
Another benefit of the new scheme is that orders can be consolidated with one delivery drop – so reducing carbon emissions.
The council said there was a potential to roll out the new system to academies.
Cabinet member for community services Martin Veal said: “We’re making it much simpler for small, independent producers to supply food to our local schools.
“The contracts are being set up so that producers could supply anything from one to 60 schools – so you really don’t need to be a big business to get involved.
“All local food producers and farmers will have a product that could be used in schools so I would encourage all of them to get involved so we can ensure local, good food is being eaten by our school children.
“When the new contracts come into place in September, this will increase choice for our school cooks, allowing them to provide fresher, more nutritious foods as well as improving value for money for schools.”
The tender process is now open and any food businesses who want to find out more should visit http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/foodcontract or call Linda McCalister on 01225 477273.
The council also said primary schools not already taking the council’s school meal service could benefit from the new system as they will be able to simplify their procurement and benefit from its economies of scale.
The council is working with Bristol-based independent online food store Fresh-Range to pilot the new system, with Fresh-Range being responsible for all orders and deliveries. Fresh-Range’s local and direct food supply chain includes dozens of farmers, fishermen, makers and bakers and already supplies to in Bath, Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset.
The new initiative will also be promoted at farmers’ markets across Bath and North East Somerset to encourage more local suppliers to get involved and reap the rewards.
