According to industry body Federation of Wholesale Distributors (FWD) the contract sector of the foodservice business is worth £4Bn. Suppliers need to meet requirements linked to sustainability and the environment to win contracts.
Andy Coyne, food correspondent at Global Data, said: “The FWD talks about the increasing opportunity for foodservice businesses to become more sustainable, reduce the environmental impact of the supply chain and take responsibility for the ‘green issues’ that matter most to customers. This 'green contract' requirement is now being understood by suppliers.”
This week two Northern Ireland business entrepreneurs purchased Pasta King, provider of nutritious pasta meals to schools in the UK.
Coyne explained: “The company not only satisfies government standards on salt, saturated fat and vegetable content but meets customers' sustainability concerns in non-food areas through the introduction of a new 100% plastic-free, fully compostable pot, for example.
“Additionally, its manufacturing kitchens operate under a zero-to-landfill policy with all of the electricity coming from sustainable sources. As environmental concerns move front and central, it is reasonable to suggest suppliers that don't meet such requirements could miss out on lucrative public sector contracts.”