Source: https://tendernation.io/opportunities/01a13d1c-fe76-71a4-8603-3776d6eed5e4/dfe-school-food-strategy-catering-providers-market-engagement closed GB open procedure Suitable for SMEs # DfE School Food Strategy Catering Providers Market Engagement [Department for Education](https://tendernation.io/buyers/department-for-education) Estimated value Not stated Published 27 Mar 2026 Deadline Closed 1 May 2026 ## Who can bid - Buyer says suitable for SMEs The buyer ticked “suitable for SMEs” on the notice. Anyone can still bid. - Buyer says suitable for VCSEs The buyer ticked “suitable for voluntary, community and social enterprises” on the notice. - Open procedure Anyone can submit a full tender; there is no shortlisting stage. [More contracts for small businesses and VCSEs](https://tendernation.io/opportunities/for-small-businesses) ## About this tender 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. ## CPV classification School meals Source Contracts Finder (UK) [View official notice](https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/notice/75a929c9-9a8d-46d4-a1cb-59d9bed616ee) Never miss a tender like this again Get AI summaries, deadline alerts and a bid pipeline for tenders matched to your business. Free to start. [Track tenders free](https://tendernation.io/register) [Buyer profile Department for Education: past awards and live tenders](https://tendernation.io/buyers/department-for-education) [Sector More Food, drink & tobacco tenders](https://tendernation.io/sectors/food-drink) ## More tenders like this [Food, beverages, tobacco and related products – „Доставка на хранителни продукти за нуждите на стол – ресторант на УСОБ Семково при ТУ – София“ · ТЕХНИЧЕСКИ УНИВЕРСИТЕТ · 31 days left · 19 Nov 2026](https://tendernation.io/opportunities/01a156a9-6f5a-7103-bb2d-05582c06f045/bulgaria-food-beverages-tobacco-and-related-products-dostavka-na-xranitel) [Bread products, fresh pastry goods and cakes – 4WOG.1200.2712.85.2026 Dostawa pieczywa i wyrobów cukierniczych w podziale na 2 części · 4 Wojskowy Oddział Gospodarczy · 34 days left · 23 Nov 2026](https://tendernation.io/opportunities/01a156a9-756e-71ed-b2da-b88840238431/poland-bread-products-fresh-pastry-goods-and-cakes-4wog12002712852026-d) [Bread – Fourniture et livraison de pain pour la restauration scolaire du groupement de commandes Commune de Crolles / Conseil départemental de l'Isère · Mairie de Crolles · 30 days left · 19 Nov 2026](https://tendernation.io/opportunities/01a156a9-62c7-7199-aede-172f8f7924f9/france-bread-fourniture-et-livraison-de-pain-pour-la-restauration-scolaire-d) [Food, beverages, tobacco and related products – Élelmiszer beszerzés 2026 · Sopron Megyei Jogú Város Önkormányzata · 8 days left · 27 Oct 2026](https://tendernation.io/opportunities/01a156a9-65ff-73f3-be24-259cd8dced18/hungary-food-beverages-tobacco-and-related-products-elelmiszer-beszerzes-2) [Miscellaneous food products and dried goods – Aquisição, por divisão em lotes, de 5.000 Cabazes de Natal 2026 para a População Sénior do Concelho de Oeiras e de 3.600 Cabazes de Natal 2026 para as Famílias Arrendatárias Municipais · Município de Oeiras · 7 days left · 26 Oct 2026](https://tendernation.io/opportunities/01a156a9-7502-7007-ad17-56e34b4f8e01/portugal-miscellaneous-food-products-and-dried-goods-aquisicao-por-divisao) [Prepared meals – Accord-cadre de fourniture et livraison de repas en liaison froide, pour les personnes âgées ou présentant un handicap, pour la Communauté de Communes Gally-Mauldre (78) · Communauté de communes Gally Mauldre · 8 days left · 28 Oct 2026](https://tendernation.io/opportunities/01a156a9-8b1a-707e-a295-d9124a79d7c3/france-prepared-meals-accord-cadre-de-fourniture-et-livraison-de-repas-en-li)