NHS Celebrates 70 Years Of Serving British
This year’s British Food Fortnight shines a light on the NHS and the hospitals who continue to buy and serve British, local and seasonal food.According to the Hospital Caterers Association in excess of £200m is spent annually on food for patients with British food accounting for roughly 75% of the budget.
“We have an incredible NHS and this year British Food Fortnight wants to pay tribute to all those hard-working hospital caterers who continue to serve the very best British ingredients in healthy meals, day in day out,” says Alexia Robinson, founder of Love British Food and British Food Fortnight.
“To commemorate the 70th anniversary of the caterers working in the NHS, including all members of the Hospital Caterers Association serving British food, will be offered a new specially designed Love British Food/NHS logo at no cost in recognition of their support.”
Former Past Chair of the HCA and current PS100 Chair Andy Jones says, “We want to encourage more hospitals to back British and not switch to cheaper imports.While the average budget for food only per patient per day is just £3.45 by using good quality British seasonal ingredients it’s possible to provide healthy and hearty meals for patients within this budget and I can quote many great examples. Chris Neale Head of Catering at Nottingham University Hospital is saving £500k a year by procuring approximately 65% of their food locally, and taking patients meal order 3 hours before the next meal service and distributing to its 90 wards where it is reheated usingBurlodge ovens . it is important that patients of NUH know the provenance of the ingredients used in their meals and we promote this at every opportunity.
Emma Brookes , NHS Improvement said: “When patients are recovering from poor health, it’s really important that hospitals secure the best catering and supply contracts to ensure their nutritional and hydration requirements can be met. This can include offering seasonal produce and cooking food fresh on the premises. Not only will patients and staff benefit from this but it can also save hospitals money, which can then be reinvested back into frontline services.”
Hospitals can apply for a free logo by contacting jane@lovebritishfood.co.uk
