Groceries Direct Delivery

Tender description

There is a requirement for Health Boards and Trusts in Wales to comply with the All Wales Nutrition and Catering Standards for Food and Fluid for Hospital Patients, issued in October 2011. To support full implementation of the standards; the creation of a standardised menu framework was proposed for use across Wales. The All Wales Menu Framework is being developed to ensure the consistent delivery of high quality food to patients. Dishes were proposed by hospital caterers based on most popular meal choices. Standardised recipes have been developed by chefs and caterers from across Wales and nutritionally analysed by dietitians to ensure that they all meet the All Wales nutrition standards. The final aspect to enable implementation lies with Procurement Services ensuring that all ingredients required are available on a compliant contract. The All Wales Menu Framework was launched by the Health Minister in January 2013, however many of the recipes proposed by Health Boards contain non-contract ingredients. In order to support compliant spend as soon as possible, nutritionally suitable versions of these ingredients need to be available on contract at the lowest price. Item specifications will ensure ingredients being sourced fit the needs of catering process, are of high nutritional value within a suitable portion size, and their taste, texture and appearance is of optimum value for money. By ensuring that all products are available on contract we can be confident that the foods served to patients meets the nutrition and allergy requirements of the recipient hospital population.