UK Seafood Federation: Strengthening Sustainable Food Supply

A trade body representing seafood processors and traders has committed to supporting a Defra initiative targeting public sector food procurement across England.

The UK Seafood Federation announced its backing for the programme in April 2026.

The initiative centres on grant funding for local authorities to improve sourcing operations for public services including schools and hospitals.

According to Defra, the public sector spends nearly £5bn (US$6.75bn) annually on food and catering.

Government procurement targets sustainability

Food Security Minister Dame Angela Eagle announced the funding support in March 2026. The programme aims to use public sector purchasing power to strengthen food supply chains and support local suppliers.

The government has set a target for at least half of all public sector food to be sourced locally or certified to higher environmental standards. The initiative focuses on improving procurement processes and helping small food businesses understand public sector supply requirements.

The grant funding will enable local authorities to review their existing supply chain arrangements and identify opportunities for improvement. This includes assessing current supplier relationships, evaluating procurement frameworks and developing strategies to increase the proportion of locally sourced ingredients.

Public sector buyers will receive support to navigate complex procurement regulations while maintaining compliance with value-for-money requirements. The programme recognises that many smaller food producers lack the resources to tender for large public sector contracts, creating barriers to entry that the initiative seeks to address.

Dame Angela Eagle says, “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.

“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.”

Federation offers procurement support

Dan Aherne, chief executive of Woocheen Group and responsible lead for the UK Seafood Federation seafood consumption growth initiative, welcomed the minister's announcement. New England Seafood operates under the Woocheen Group.

Dan 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.”

The Federation's support encompasses technical guidance on seafood supply chain logistics, including cold chain management, delivery scheduling and quality assurance protocols. Members can provide expertise on seasonal availability of British-caught species and help procurement teams understand the commercial realities of seafood sourcing.

Industry members can help public sector catering teams navigate certification schemes and traceability requirements. This support extends to understanding catch methods, processing standards and the documentation needed to verify sustainable sourcing claims.

Industry collaboration on sourcing standards

The UK Seafood Federation established a strategic working group following its October 2025 conference. The collaboration includes Seafish and the Marine Stewardship Council, with an aim to develop a unified market position for the seafood category. This includes creating narratives and evidence-based arguments for increased seafood consumption.

There is a focus on aligning industry messaging around nutritional benefits, environmental credentials and supply chain transparency. Members share data on consumption patterns, conduct research into barriers to seafood purchasing and develop resources for procurement professionals.

The aim is to standardise approaches to sustainability certification and create clearer guidance for buyers navigating different assurance schemes. This work supports procurement teams in making informed decisions about seafood sourcing while meeting organisational sustainability commitments.

The Federation characterises itself as a membership body dedicated to positioning seafood as part of healthier food systems. The organisation has launched an initiative to boost domestic seafood consumption.

The work forms part of the government's Good Food Cycle programme. The programme addresses food environments, animal welfare standards and domestic food production resilience. The Good Food Cycle represents a comprehensive approach to reforming the food system, connecting procurement policy with broader objectives around public health, environmental sustainability and economic development in food-producing regions.