How to win: Community Food Growing

About this contract

Thurrock Council is seeking feedback from organisations with experience in school and community food growing, horticultural education, and community capacity-building to inform the potential future development of this programme. During 2025/26, the Council has successfully delivered a school and community food growing and capacity-building programme across 5 schools and a community setting. The program has supported schools, residents and community groups to develop food growing skills, increase access to green spaces, strengthen community connections, and contribute to wider health and wellbeing outcomes. Building on the learning and successes achieved to date, the Council is exploring opportunities to expand the programme into additional areas, particularly where there is greatest need and potential to reduce health inequalities. This market engagement exercise will help us understand the capacity, capability and interest of potential suppliers, identify any barriers to participation, and gather feedback to shape the future service model and procurement approach. Please note that the value, contract start and end dates are to be confirmed.

How to win contracts like this

• ✓Answer against the marking scheme, not the question text — Thurrock Council scores each response, so map your evidence to the published criteria and weightings.
• ✓Lead with evidenced capability and social value — for services work these usually outweigh price.
• ✓Show recent, comparable delivery: name similar services contracts you've delivered for public bodies, with measurable outcomes.
• ✓Start early: deadlines are tight and a strong bid takes iteration.

BidWriter drafts your responses from your company profile, scores them against the marking scheme, and tracks your whole pipeline. Free to start — no card needed.

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