Celebrating 10 Years of the NCASS Emergency Catering Service

In 2026, we’re proud to celebrate 10 years of the NCASS Emergency Catering Service (ECS), a service that has connected businesses in need of rapid catering solutions with our incredible network of professional mobile caterers since its launch in 2016.

Over the past decade, the ECS has become a trusted resource for organisations requiring reliable catering in emergency situations, planned infrastructure works, utility outages, public sector operations and large-scale incidents. Behind every successful deployment is a dedicated NCASS member, ready to step up when they’re needed most.

A Decade by the Numbers

The success of the Emergency Catering Service is reflected in the impact it has had on our members and the businesses they support.

Over the last 10 years, the service has:

• Worked with 53 different caterers across the UK.
• Generated more than £900,000 of business for NCASS members.
• Seen 7 caterers secure individual contracts with sales exceeding £40,000.
• Delivered catering everywhere from Northumberland in the north to Devon and Cornwall in the south, demonstrating the reach and flexibility of our nationwide membership.

These figures represent hundreds of successful deployments and countless meals served when people needed them most.

Why Businesses Choose NCASS Caterers

When organisations need catering at short notice, they need confidence that the caterers arriving on site are experienced, professional and capable of delivering under pressure.

NCASS members are trusted because they are:

• Capable – Primary Authority Assured, highly trained and experienced in delivering quality catering in challenging environments.
• Flexible – Able to adapt to a wide range of locations, customer numbers and dietary requirements.
• Scalable – Whether it’s a small local incident or a large-scale emergency response, our network can provide one caterer or multiple units across the UK.
• Reliable – Mobile catering provides one of the safest and most practical solutions for emergency situations, with operators ready to travel wherever they’re needed.

From utility companies supporting customers during power outages to organisations requiring welfare catering at short notice, our members continue to deliver exceptional service nationwide.

How the Emergency Catering Service Works

The process is designed to be simple and efficient.

1. The client tells us their requirements – including numbers, food type, location and timeframe.
2. NCASS contacts suitable members who match the location and job requirements.
3. The client selects their preferred caterer(s) and final arrangements are agreed directly.
4. The caterer arrives on site, ready to deliver professional catering exactly when it’s needed.

It’s a straightforward system that has successfully connected clients with trusted caterers for the last decade.

What Members Can Expect

The Emergency Catering Service offers genuine opportunities to secure additional work throughout the year.

Current standard rates include:

• £400 call-out fee
• £8+ per meal served
• £2.50 per drink provided
• Mileage paid
• 14-day payment terms

With opportunities ranging from single-day deployments to larger contracts worth tens of thousands of pounds, the ECS has become an important source of additional revenue for many members.

Trusted by Leading Organisations

The service has supported organisations across the UK, earning praise from clients who rely on fast, dependable catering provision.

As Moeez Ali – Meals for the NHS commented:

“NCASS has been amazing at finding us brilliant caterers to supply Meals for the NHS. Their members are independent caterers who are passionate about what they do and are a pleasure to work with.”

Western Power Distribution has also worked with the service for several years, highlighting the vital role mobile caterers play during power outages and emergency situations, providing essential welfare support to customers when they need it most.

Join the Emergency Catering Service

As we celebrate 10 years of the Emergency Catering Service, we’d like to thank every member who has helped make it such a success. If you’re an NCASS member and would like to be considered for future emergency catering opportunities, we’d love to hear from you.

Joining the ECS could give you access to additional paid work, nationwide opportunities and the chance to support organisations when they need reliable catering the most.

Interested in joining?

Get in touch with the NCASS team to find out more about becoming part of the Emergency Catering Service network.

📞 0300 124 6866

✉️ [email protected]