The Ministers agreed that increasing the amount of local food procured by the public sector would integrate sustainability into current procurement practices whilst potentially improving efficiencies to realise savings that could be ploughed back into improving service delivery.
Following the meeting the Agriculture Minister said: “The benefit to our economy and environment would be substantial in terms of sustaining our agricultural base and reducing food miles as well as providing supply opportunities for both our small speciality producers and large-scale commodity processors.”
Minister Gildernew added “Today’s meeting has provided us with food for thought and we have agreed to investigate the mechanics of collaboration between our departments in terms of food procurement tendering and to ensure local food processors are aware of and more competitive once tenders are released.”
Notes to Editors:
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