UK Seafood Federation Backs Sustainable Procurement Drive

England's public sector food procurement could see a significant shift towards sustainable seafood following support from the UK Seafood Federation for new government initiatives aimed at transforming how schools and hospitals source their ingredients.

The organisation, which represents seafood processors and traders across Britain, has backed Defra's recent measures designed to enhance local and sustainable food sourcing within England's public institutions. Grant funding will be made available to local authorities to help them improve procurement practices for vital services including schools and hospitals.

Public sector purchasing power

Dame Angela Eagle, Food Security Minister, announced the initiative last month, targeting a sector with annual food and catering expenditure approaching £5bn (US$6.3bn). "The public sector has enormous purchasing power. The government feels this presents a real opportunity to improve public health, back local businesses and build more sustainable food supply chains," she says.

"By learning from those already leading the way, we can raise food procurement standards right across England and ensure our food procurement spend delivers for the local economy."

The government aims to leverage public spending to promote sustainable food procurement throughout England, working towards an ambition where at least half of all public sector food comes from local sources or meets higher environmental certification standards.

These measures could improve procurement processes, expand access to healthier and more sustainable food choices and help local and small food enterprises better understand routes to supplying the public sector.

Supporting community wellness

Dan Aherne, CEO of Woocheen Group incorporating New England Seafood and responsible lead for the UK Seafood Federation seafood consumption growth initiative, says: "Our Federation has a mission in making seafood a bigger part of the British diet. The leadership shown by Minister Eagle to introduce healthier, sustainably sourced food into councils and communities is strongly welcomed.

"We hope the Federation and its members can support local councils in making sustainable seafood choices, achieve NHS dietary requirements and shape healthy outcomes for those who are catered for."

Dan highlighted the Federation's readiness to assist public sector organisations with seafood procurement, including British seafood across all varieties and the development of budget-appropriate menus that could deliver positive public health and environmental results.

Building partnerships for sustainability

The UK Seafood Federation, which positions seafood as central to a healthier nation and planet through its membership structure, has launched a campaign to increase domestic consumption.

After its October 2025 conference, the Federation created a strategic working group with Seafish and the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC).

The partnership seeks to unite the seafood sector through a robust market position, supported by persuasive narratives and evidence-based reasoning for increased public seafood consumption.

Seafood represents an environmentally responsible choice, marked by reduced carbon emissions, limited water consumption and no connection to deforestation. When sustainably sourced, seafood could be a key contributor to physical and mental health, supporting global communities and economies while providing remarkable variety across all price points.

The initiative contributes to the government's Good Food Cycle, supporting healthier and more sustainable food systems that uphold high animal welfare standards and environmentally sustainable supply chains alongside resilient domestic food production.