Wakefield's YPO assists with £50m food service contract across London

YPO, the Wakefield-based public sector buying organisation, is supporting a group of seven London Boroughs with a £50m contract.

The contract has been awarded to Thomas Ridley Food Service to provide food for school meals.

The seven authorities (part of the London Boroughs Procurement Collaborative) include the London Boroughs of Havering, Barking and Dagenham, Enfield, Tower Hamlets, Waltham Forest, the Royal Borough of Greenwich and Thurrock Unitary Authority.

All of the authorities will benefit from the new agreement by receiving a 5% saving on a contract worth £50m over four years

YPO was able to coordinate the tender process through its public sector framework known as ‘The UK Food Deal’.

Launched in 2016, The UK Food Deal was set up specifically to meet the needs of public sector organisations which look for a way of procuring food. The framework means that YPO can help organisations be more efficient by saving time and money on lengthy and complex tenders, leaving them to focus on their priorities such as education provision.

It also allows organisations to access a range of local and national suppliers including SMEs.

Darren Byford, YPO’s food business manager, said: “We’re very proud to have worked with the London Boroughs Procurement Collaborative on this important contract that has helped save money which can go back into the public sector where it’s needed most.”

Mark Batchelor, the London Borough of Havering’s senior category advisor, added: “It’s been fantastic to work with YPO who have guided us through this process to find a good quality and great value food supplier.

“To make efficiency savings during times of budget cuts and high food price inflation is critical, as it allows us to focus more efforts on meeting the needs of our communities.”

Steve Lyons, Thomas Ridley Food Service’s sales director, concluded: “We were thrilled to be awarded this contract through YPO’s UK Food Deal as it falls in line with our own mission to deliver the best quality food services to the education sector.

“We’re committed to encouraging and promoting the benefits of a healthy balanced diet to children and young people.”

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