The Food Service Matters podcast continues to highlight key figures driving change in the food service industry. In Season Three, Episode One, host Patrick McDermott speaks with Julian Fris, Founder and Principal Consultant at Neller Davies, about the pressing challenges in hospital food service and how the industry can evolve to provide better meals for patients and staff alike.
With extensive experience managing catering for major organisations such as the BBC, Marriott Management Services, and the NHS, Julian shares his expertise on hospital food quality, procurement challenges, staff training, and sustainability.
In this blog post, we explore Julian’s insights into why hospital food continues to struggle, the impact of outsourcing, and how sustainability and local sourcing could help transform patient meals.
The Challenges of Hospital Catering
Budget Constraints and Procurement Issues
One of the biggest obstacles to improving hospital food is budget allocation. Catering often falls to the bottom of funding priorities, forcing hospitals to choose mass procurement contracts that prioritise cost over quality. This leads to:
- Standardised, uninspiring meals.
- Limited flexibility in menus.
- A lack of focus on patient nutrition.
Julian discusses how smart procurement strategies could allow hospitals to prioritise better quality food without significantly increasing costs.
The Impact of Outsourcing
Many NHS hospitals outsource catering to private companies to cut costs and improve efficiency. While outsourcing brings some benefits, Julian highlights the downsides:
- Reduced accountability over meal quality.
- Lack of patient-focused service, as food is produced at scale.
- Challenges in adapting to dietary needs due to standardised menus.
Instead, Julian advocates for a hybrid approach—where hospitals retain some level of control over food quality and sourcing while benefiting from outsourced efficiencies.
Staff Training & Kitchen Investment
Julian emphasises that investing in kitchen staff is critical to improving hospital meals. Unlike hospitality chefs, hospital catering teams work with tight schedules and limited resources. Proper training and engagement could significantly enhance meal quality and presentation.
The Future of Hospital Food: Sustainability & Local Sourcing
Sustainability in hospital catering is gaining momentum, but procurement policies still favour large-scale suppliers over local producers. Julian discusses how hospitals could:
- Introduce more local sourcing to improve freshness and support communities.
- Adopt sustainable menu planning that aligns with environmental goals.
- Implement food waste reduction strategies to improve efficiency.
A recent Guardian article reinforced many of the concerns Julian raised. It highlighted that a significant percentage of hospital food goes uneaten because patients find meals unappetising or inconveniently timed. Some hospitals are experimenting with digital ordering and flexible menus, which align with Julian’s argument that hospitals must adopt a more patient-centred approach.
Closing Remarks
Julian Fris’s insights reinforce that hospital food service needs a fundamental shift. Key takeaways from the conversation include:
✅ Better procurement strategies to balance cost and quality.
✅ Improved staff training to enhance meal preparation.
✅ More sustainable sourcing to prioritise fresh, nutritious ingredients.
The food served in hospitals should support patient recovery, not become a source of frustration. While some hospitals are making positive changes, system-wide reform is needed to ensure long-term improvements.
To hear the full conversation with Julian Fris, tune into the Food Service Matters podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or Google Podcasts.
Patrick McDermott, DigiTally’s CEO, is a passionate advocate for simplifying food service management through technology.
DigiTally’s user-friendly software helps food service businesses streamline operations, increase margins, and combat food waste.
Are you ready to take your food service business to the next level? 📅 Book a 30-minute call with Patrick today and set up your demo!
