Catering
Food sector trends: cost pressures, conscious choices, and culinary creativity
Rachael Venditti, development manager at allmanhall, explains how care homes can – and must – align their catering operations with their sustainability goals, while not compromising on quality
The care sector faces a complex but exciting landscape when it comes to providing food for residents and patients. While inflationary pressures persist, innovation and sustainability remain firmly on the menu. According to allmanhall co-owners
Oliver and Jo Hall: “As we look ahead, the care sector stands at a pivotal moment. Shifting resident and family expectations, continued cost pressures, evolving labour dynamics, and rapid advances in technology are reshaping care catering operations. Yet within this complexity lie clear opportunities for those who adapt with insight and intent.” Food inflation is expected to stay above
general inflation rates this year, albeit at a lower level than in 2025. Food inflation sat at 4.5 per cent in January 2026, having risen slightly since December 2025.
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www.thecarehomeenvironment.com March 2026 The IGD (Institute of Grocery
Distribution) forecasts food inflation at an average of 3.8 per cent in 2026, easing slightly to 3.3 per cent in 2027. The elevated rate reflects historic cost increases, driven by higher wages and operational expenses, which are now being passed on after prolonged absorption. Key drivers include rising employer
Digital tools
are reshaping the way care homes manage foodservice
costs – increases to National Insurance contributions, the National Living Wage, and new obligations under the Employment Rights Bill are all putting pressure on the supply chain. For the care sector, this year looks less like
a return to ‘normal’ and more like a period of managing persistent, underlying inflation in a slower-growth and highly uncertain global environment. With this in mind, catering managers
should budget for four per cent annual inflation.
Sustainability: necessity meets opportunity The year ahead will bring continued momentum in sustainability, driven by both regulation and consumer expectations. Changes such as Extended Producer
Lumos sp -
stock.adobe.com
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