Freddie Watson from The Organic Pantry in Tadcaster, Yorkshire tells us why he is enthusiastic to host a farm visit for NHS caterers
Alexia Robinson • February 27, 2023
St Helens Farm is a 300 acre organic farm growing over 40 varieties of fruits and vegetables. Using organic principles and regenerative techniques the farm produces high quality vegetables which it supplies thorough the family business direct to the consumer as a veg box scheme, to shops, delis, cafes and to the public sector.
Why are you enthusiastic to host a visit for NHS catering managers?
It is exciting to learn that there is a desire from the NHS to source more local, regenerative products and to support local farmers and communities. We have our own cold supply chain and we are food hygiene certified to STS standards so we can supply the NHS directly, the issue for us has always been getting in front of the right people so getting the decision makers to the farm is very exciting. The best way for us to get across what we do and why we exist is to show them. There is also a misconception that organic food is always more expensive, for example we supply peeled potatoes to Nottinghamshire County Council schools and we price matched the conventional product they were using - so they switched at no extra cost. We are vertically integrated, we are growers, processors and we have a supply chain, so we are uniquely placed to cut out extra costs and deliver well priced organic food, especially to Yorkshire and the surrounding counties.
What do you know about public procurement already?
Our experience is that it is often the motivation of the decision maker, if they want to make it happen they can!. Organic accounts for 2% of the public sector spend in the UK, Germany is at 8% and the Nordic countries can be up to 50%+. The UK is behind the trend, I feel this is an exciting opportunity as when policy makers and decisions makers are more educated the demand will grow.
Why do you wish to supply the NHS?
A value of our business is that food is medicine. We would love to partner with the NHS to bring not only bring healthy quality fresh food to plates but food that had been grown in an environmentally friendly way, that looks after our soils, ecosystems and waterways. It is our belief that the public sector should be supporting it's local community, buying from local farmers such as us creates local jobs and puts money into the local economy. Purchasing from large faceless corporations moves money and opportunities away from the local area.
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