This exclusive, invitation-only event offers a unique opportunity to engage with peers, share best practice, and collaborate on solutions to the key challenges facing the sector today.
The Forum gathers approximately 100 specially-invited senior decision makers from across public sector catering, including:
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Heads of national catering organisations
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Senior leaders from major contract catering companies
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Representatives from sustainability groups and charities
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Influencers from education, healthcare, and local authorities
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Leading food and equipment suppliers
Attendees will take part in a day-long programme of inspiring presentations, interactive debates, and networking sessions designed to foster meaningful collaboration across the sector.
Exhibition Area
The 2026 Forum will feature an exhibition area of 44 stands, providing attendees with the chance to:
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Explore the latest products, services, and innovations
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Engage directly with suppliers who support the public sector
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Discover solutions to challenges such as sustainability, training, and cost management
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Connect with high-quality suppliers in a focused, professional environment
What’s on the Agenda?
The Forum provides a platform to tackle the most pressing issues facing public sector catering today, including:
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Food-price inflation and cost management
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Recruitment, retention, and workforce development
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Sustainability and reducing food & plastic waste
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Health impacts and tackling growing obesity
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Training, innovation, and sector-wide best practice
By bringing together the sector in a single venue, the Forum enables face-to-face discussion and collective problem-solving, helping to advance the Alliance’s mission: “Working Together to Feed a Healthy and Sustainable Nation.”
Event Details
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Date: Tuesday, 17th November 2026
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Location: East Midlands Conference Centre at the University of Nottingham
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Attendees: c.100 senior public sector catering leaders
The 2026 Forum promises to build on the momentum of the first event, offering an unmissable chance to learn, debate, and shape the future of public sector catering.
Suppliers wishing to find out how they can be part of the 2026 event can find out more here.
The Public Sector Catering Alliance fosters collaboration among them on issues of mutual concern and serves as a focus for joint action, including liaison with Government on topics such as procurement, food standards and sustainability.
The principal associations driving the Alliance are: The School Food People, the Hospital Caterers Association (HCA), the National Association of Care Catering (NACC), The University Caterers Organisation (TUCO), ASSIST FM (local authority providers in Scotland), and the Professional Association for Catering Education (PACE).
