--- title: "DfE School Food Strategy Catering Providers Market Engagement" ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-75a929c9-9a8d-46d4-a1cb-59d9bed616ee" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-75a929c9-9a8d-46d4-a1cb-59d9bed616ee" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-75a929c9-9a8d-46d4-a1cb-59d9bed616ee.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-75a929c9-9a8d-46d4-a1cb-59d9bed616ee.json" source: "Contracts Finder" current_stage: "Tender" buyer: "DEPARTMENT FOR EDUCATION" published: "2026-03-27" --- # DfE School Food Strategy Catering Providers Market Engagement Buyer: DEPARTMENT FOR EDUCATION Current stage: Tender OCID: ocds-b5fd17-75a929c9-9a8d-46d4-a1cb-59d9bed616ee [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-75a929c9-9a8d-46d4-a1cb-59d9bed616ee) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-75a929c9-9a8d-46d4-a1cb-59d9bed616ee.json) ## Summary The procurement process titled "DfE School Food Strategy Catering Providers Market Engagement" is initiated by the Department for Education (DfE) and is classified under the industry categories of "School meals" and "School catering services." This initiative is part of a wider effort to comprehend and enhance the school food market in anticipation of extending Free School Meal eligibility. While this is not a procurement opportunity, the engagement process allows existing school catering providers in regions including the North East, North West, and London among others, to share their insights. This market engagement is currently at the 'Tender' stage, with a closing date for participation set at 12 PM on the 1st of May, 2026. The engagement period is scheduled to commence on the 4th of May, 2026, and conclude by the 5th of May, 2027. This tender is an opportunity for businesses currently engaged in school catering to influence future strategies, thereby presenting growth potential for entities looking to expand within the public sector's food service markets. It is particularly suitable for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and Voluntary, Community, and Social Enterprises (VCSEs) that have existing contracts with schools. By participating, businesses can showcase their capabilities and gain a better understanding of future opportunities that may arise from adjusted food strategy and policies. Engaging in this process allows these organisations to contribute to shaping the market's future, ensuring they are aligned with potential new demands and requirements set by the Department for Education. ## Notice Department for Education School Food and Catering Market Engagement Process The Department for Education is seeking market engagement with existing Catering providers of School Catering that already have contracts with School(s). This is a crucial part of the Department's wider efforts to build on existing knowledge and gain further understanding of the school food market ahead of the planned expansion of Free School Meal eligibility to all children in households in receipt of Universal Credit in September 2026. The Department plans to run a market engagement process over the coming months. This Market Engagement shall NOT result in a procurement opportunity and is solely intended to give Caterers the opportunity to offer valuable insight into how School Food and Catering is delivered. This market engagement is part of a wider programme of engagement by the Department with schools, Local Authorities and other stakeholders. If you are a current provider of school catering interested in engaging with the Department, please complete the questionnaire in the online form - link attached. The closing date for completing the questionnaire is 12PM on Friday 1st May 2026. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Contracts Finder | | Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/fe211f44-56c0-4928-b29e-0d4730059f72 | | Notice type | Tender Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Not specified | | Procurement method | Not Specified | | Procurement method details | Other - This notice is not a call for competition and will not result in a Contract opportunity | | Tender suitability | SME, VCSE | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Tender | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 27 Mar 2026 | | Submission deadline | 1 May 2026 | | Future notice date | Not specified | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | 3 May 2026 - 5 May 2027 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | Not specified | | Lots value | Not specified | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Active | | Lots status | Not specified | | Awards status | Not specified | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | DEPARTMENT FOR EDUCATION | | Locality | LONDON | | Post town | South West London | | Postcode | SW1P 3BT | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLI London | | ITL 2 | TLI3 Inner London - West | | ITL 3 | TLI35 Westminster and City of London | | Local authority | Westminster | | Electoral ward | St James's | | Westminster constituency | Cities of London and Westminster | | Delivery location | TLC North East (England), TLD North West (England), TLE Yorkshire and The Humber, TLF East Midlands (England), TLG West Midlands (England), TLI London, TLJ South East (England), TLK South West (England) | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 15 - Food, beverages, tobacco and related products - 55 - Hotel, restaurant and retail trade services ### Codes - 15894210 - School meals - 55524000 - School catering services ## Release History - 27 Mar 2026 at 11:39 - Tender - Tender Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/fe211f44-56c0-4928-b29e-0d4730059f72 ## Documents - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/fe211f44-56c0-4928-b29e-0d4730059f72 27th March 2026 - Opportunity notice on Contracts Finder - https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/xFGVBqkVCF DfE School Catering Suppliers Questionnaire ## Notice URLs - https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-education ## Provenance This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-75a929c9-9a8d-46d4-a1cb-59d9bed616ee. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-75a929c9-9a8d-46d4-a1cb-59d9bed616ee.json.