Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she is taking steps with the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to align school food procurement with the Government’s (a) horticulture strategy and (b) food security objectives.

The government’s commitment to the horticulture sector and its vital role in strengthening food security by ensuring a reliable and sustainable supply of home-grown fresh produce remains steadfast. We are taking a strategic approach to support for horticulture, recognising the specific needs of the sector. This includes developing a farming roadmap, which will set out a 25-year vision and blueprint to make our farming and food production more sustainable and profitable.

Alongside this, our food strategy will deliver clear long term outcomes that create a healthier, fairer, and more resilient food system. This will boost our food security, improve our health, ensure economic growth, and deliver environmental sustainability.

The department engages with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on a variety of topics related to food in schools, as part of the government’s wider food strategy, helping to drive change and support a healthier, more sustainable and resilient food system.