Concerns raised over island's food security

A former politician has raised concerns over Jersey school meals being supplied by a UK company, suggesting it raises wider concerns about the island's food security and resilience.

Former deputy David Warr said there was "no local firm" which could produce the volume of meals required for schools in the island - UK company Apetito was recently appointed.

"If we can't even feed 9,000 kids, what the hell chance have we got of feeding 104,000 people on this island if that food isn't available?," he said.

The government said: "The resilience of Jersey's supply-chain has been demonstrated over many winters, and suppliers and DFDS have measures in place to cope with weather-related disruption."

It added: "Jersey imports 90% of its food, and has done so for many years."

Reform Jersey Deputy Lee Carpenter of St Helier Central will ask the minister for education and lifelong learning to explain the procurement process in appointing a UK firm and to advise whether any local companies were considered, at a States meeting.

Education minister deputy Catherine Curtis, also Reform Jersey, said she had signed a contract with Wiltshire food firm Apetito Limited to provide menu development, meal production, nutritional compliance and associated catering services.

Warr said the island needed to "build resilience" into its economy.

"Just bear in mind our issues around climate change," he said. "We've seen a summer with virtually no rain. What if we have a winter with storm after storm after storm?

"I think the tragedy is that it shows a lack of bigger strategic thinking when it comes to food security on this island. That's my bigger concern."

The School Food Programme began as a pilot in 2019 in partnership with local charity Caring Cooks and Apetito Limited joined it in 2024.

In a post on social media, Caring Cooks said the programme grew in stages, with hot lunches available across all government fully funded primary schools by the end of 2024.

"We are very proud to have helped make that possible," it said.

"Apetito already supplies the majority of government primary schools. Providing meals on this scale is a huge undertaking and it is positive to see the service we helped establish now reaching children across the island.

"We will continue providing meals to our five primary schools this academic year.

"Alongside this, we will continue to build on our secondary school meals service, working with our schools and students to develop the food and service we offer."

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