AQW 23039/17-22

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 23/09/2021
Answered On Date: 19/10/2021
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Education to detail (i) the number of schools, per constituency, that have experienced food supply problems this term; and (ii) any action her Department has taken to resolve such issues.

Answer:

Education Authority (EA) Catering delivers school meals to over 1,150 schools per day across all 18 constituency areas. The Education Authority (EA) has reported there have been issues around delivery of some items during September 2021 to the majority of school meals kitchens. This was due to one of its main suppliers making a business decision not to continue trading with EA Catering from 31 August 2021. EA Catering in partnership with Procurement had to award over 400 product lines between 2 other suppliers. Alternative products have been sourced and supplied to schools. Deliveries are returning to normal and the supply chain and ordering of products has stabilised. The issues faced in September 2021 are now easing as all products supplied by the exiting supplier have been reallocated, sourced and are being delivered as ordered into kitchens.

The Senior Catering Managers and the procurement team hold meetings with the two main food suppliers on a weekly basis to allow the suppliers to update Catering on any known upcoming issues within their supply chains and any current issues Catering are already aware of.

Suppliers will also make contact with Catering and Procurement Teams in between times if a new issue arises and if they have been able to provide substitute items for any products where supply issues have been identified.