Case Study for Fresh Muffins and Associated Items

The Education Authority’ Catering Service serve 140,000 school meals each day, including traditional homemade desserts, which should comply with the Draft Nutritional Standards 2020 which includes new targets on reducing sugar. The EA required a contract for ready made, low sugar desserts such as Fresh Muffins, Cookies and Oatmeal bars.  Although a supply contract, the EA were keen to ensure that Social Value was incorporated.

• Social considerations to be included such as Ethical Supply Chains, Environmental Strategy and Practices, use of Social and Micro Enterprises in the Supply Chain and maximising employment opportunities. 
• Reduce barriers for Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs), micro businesses and Social Enterprises
• Allow catering service to purchase nutritionally compliant convenience desserts for the kitchens that do not have sufficient staff to make traditional desserts.
• Establish a Contract for highly appealing products for sale in Post Primary Schools that will create additional revenue for catering to offset the costs of providing the service.
• Fully compliant with The Food Information (Amendment No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 (also known as Natasha’s Law).
• Contribute to DERAs NI Food Strategy Framework 2021 i.e. priority 2- “Building a sustainable food economy” and Priority 4- “protecting and enhancing our natural resources.”

Extensive PME sessions were held with suppliers which informed the procurement strategy and the decision to lot the contract based on localities which would reduce the barriers of entry for SMEs and encourage wider participation.

A range of social considerations were included within the tender to support the Draft Programme for Government and EA’s Strategic Plan 2017-2027.  These included  a focus on Environmental Strategy and Practices including the reduction of packaging waste and the development of more sustainable packaging, as well as the commitment to the use of Social and Micro Enterprises in the Supply Chain, and maximising employment opportunities by ensuring vacancies are advertised via www.jobcentreonline.com and to organisations registered on the Buy Social website. 

• The tender was awarded to a NI supplier who has sourced a new local SME subcontractor to meet the EAs requirements.    
• This approach has meant the EA has benefited from a bespoke, local product that complies with Draft Nutritional Standards 2020.
• Improved supply chain resilience as all products are made in NI from locally sourced ingredients where possible.
• Social value that delivers the theme of sustainability and contributes to the reduction of food miles which supports Priority 4 of the NI Food Strategy- “protecting and enhancing our natural resources.”
• A contract that aligns with the NI Food Strategy Framework 2021 supporting priority 2- “Building a sustainable food economy” by supporting locally sourced and produced food.

Including social considerations in the tender process has led to a new approach from suppliers and local business benefitting from the EA Catering Contracts.

Engaging with our suppliers regarding social value has also allowed EA to build resilience into our supply chain with more local suppliers and shortening the supply chain. Our procurement approach directly contributes to the EAs strategic objectives, the PfG and delivery of the requirements of PPN 03/21 Supply Chain Resilience as well as supporting priority 2 and 4 of the NI Food Strategy Framework 2021.