The film was produced at Holkham Estate in Norfolk, where Alexia Robinson, founder and CEO of Love British Food, led the most recent farm visit in the campaign's programme, in the hopes that it will encourage NHS catering teams to consider sourcing more British food.
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Love British Food has now hosted farm visits for 43 hospitals from 36 NHS Trusts with 193 people attending. The message has reached far more though, with catering managers going back to their trusts to discuss the importance and role of British sourcing with their dietitians and procurement leads.
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Alexia Robinson, Love British Food founder said: "We know it is not enough to ask catering teams to buy British - we need to explain why. So, the aim of these farm visits has been to enthuse catering teams to see buying British as a carrot rather than a ‘Buying Standards stick' as I fear the perpetually consulted upon New Government Buying Standards make it sound.
"I genuinely believe these visits have created excitement about buying British in NHS catering teams. Together with the farmers who have hosted the visits with me, we have answered the question, why buy British?, and explained how doing so contributes to patient outcomes, sustainability, net zero goals and trusts' role as anchor institutions for supporting their community.
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"Love British Food has inspired caterers to think about the connection between how food is produced and its nutritional value and empowered those attending to go back into their trusts and look at:
- Where they currently source from, produce a provenance map and discuss with suppliers.
- Consider flexible menus that enable seasonal sourcing.
- Discuss opportunities with their procurement teams and dietitians.
"I always describe Love British Food's ethos as ‘inspiring change-makers' and these visits epitomize this."
NHS
Phil Shelley, chair of NHS food review and national lead for net zero food said how stimulating the programme has been so far.
He said: "The farm visit programme that Alexia has created for our teams has influenced and empowered those attending to go back into their trusts and take actions, including where they currently source their food and how to create flexible menus with seasonal products.
"Love British Food's farm visits have opened up conversations and started to prepare the larger manufactures and distributors to work differently. Relationships are being built as a result and they are changing the mentality and methodology in the attitude to buying British and working directly with the farming industry.
"Good food continues to be at the heart of our health and well-being, and the link between field and the plate never changes."
Tim Radcliffe, net zero food programme manager, also said it is important to recognise that the benefits from the various farm visits, and that although these may take time to show, what they are doing is raising the ‘consciousness and highlighting the opportunities.'
- You can find details of all farm visits here: https://lovebritishfood.co.uk/farm-visits-for-caterers
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