Scope
Description
Flintshire County Council has identified the need for a sustainable food system to support households facing food poverty, particularly during school holiday periods. Current models of one-off financial support have been found to be short-term, costly, and unsustainable. The Council seeks a long-term solution that ensures affordable access to fresh, nutritious food (excluding Ultra-Processed Foods (UPF)), reducing reliance on emergency food provision, and improves health outcomes.
The expectation is the design and implementation of a food system which may include, but not limited to:
- Reaching rural communities with affordable fresh food and meal solutions.
- Community-based hubs providing access to hot, nutritious meals.
- Solutions that are targeted towards very vulnerable households.
- Solutions to support residents to transition to self funded food purchase.
- Innovative community based self service models of delivery.
The solution must:
- Be UPF-free and promote healthy, fresh, and balanced diets.
- Ensure value for money and demonstrate how costs will reduce annually to eliminate Council subsidy within 5 years.
- Be scalable and adaptable across diverse communities.
- Involve partnerships with community organisations, volunteers, and local supply chains.
- Be measurable against agreed success criteria (e.g. participation rates, reduction in food poverty indicators, health outcomes).
The commissioners will be holding a online Pre Market Engagement event on Wednesday 21st January 2026 (10.30AM to 11.30AM) to inform providers the Invitation to Tender process that the commissioners will follow for this commissioning exercise.
Total value (estimated)
- £1,000,000 excluding VAT
- £1,000,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 June 2026 to 31 March 2031
- 4 years, 10 months
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 55500000 - Canteen and catering services
Contract locations
- UKL23 - Flintshire and Wrexham
Engagement
Engagement deadline
21 January 2026
Engagement process description
Commissioning of Sustainable Food System, Pre Market Engagement Online Meeting Wednesday 21st January 2026 (10.30AM to 11.30AM)
Flintshire County Council has identified the need for a sustainable food system to support households facing food poverty, particularly during school holiday periods. Current models of one-off financial support have been found to be short-term, costly, and unsustainable. The Council seeks a long-term solution that ensures affordable access to fresh, nutritious food (excluding Ultra-Processed Foods (UPF)), reducing reliance on emergency food provision, and improves health outcomes.
The commissioners will be holding a Pre Market Engagement Online Meeting Wednesday 21st January 2026 (10.30AM to 11.30AM) to inform providers of Invitation to Tender process that the commissioners will follow for this commissioning exercise.
Please register your interest in attending the Pre Market Engagement event by emailing:
Mirinda.misell-bryan@flintshire.gov.uk
Invitations to the online ‘Pre Market Engagement event will then be issued following registration of interest.
Participation
Particular suitability
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Submission
Publication date of tender notice (estimated)
16 February 2026
Procedure
Special regime
Light touch
Contracting authority
Flintshire County Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PNJC-2356-PCDV
County Offices, Chapel Street
Flint
CH6 5AD
United Kingdom
Contact name: Jen Griffiths
Telephone: +44 7803713220
Email: jen.griffiths@flintshire.gov.uk
Website: https://www.flintshire.gov.uk
Region: UKL23 - Flintshire and Wrexham
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government
Devolved regulations that apply: Wales