Sodexo bolsters local produce commitment with Love British Food

Ahead of British Food Fortnight, global services company Sodexo is “reinforcing its commitment” to using locally sourced, sustainable produce through its partnership with Love British Food.

Love British Food leads the national promotion of British food and encourages retailers and caterers to make British food their preferred option. The year-round campaign culminates in British Food Fortnight, this year taking place 21 September to 5 October.

Sodexo provides catering services at hospitals, schools, prisons, offices as well as sporting venues and events across the UK, and when sourcing ingredients its ambition is to use British produce wherever possible.

As well as using local suppliers, Sodexo added it promotes seasonal and sustainably grown products and is committed to sourcing Red Tractor assured products, sustainable fish and products that are in season wherever possible.

David Mulcahy, food innovation director at Sodexo, said: “We have supported Love British Food for a number of years now, and we are delighted to continue this partnership and really shine the spotlight on local food during British Food Fortnight.

“We know it’s important to our clients and customers that wherever possible we use locally sourced produce in the menus we serve, and we are proud that a large proportion of our recipes do use ingredients sourced in the UK.That means that across our sites, from hospitals to offices, schools to stadia, our customers will be supporting British food when they eat our meals.”

He added: “From fruit and veg, to meat and dairy, there is a wealth of fantastic produce that is grown, reared and made in this country and British Food Fortnight is the perfect opportunity to celebrate it.”

Sodexo is also committed to partnering with small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs), such as WB Chambers, a soft fruit expert based in Maidstone, Kent.

James Miller, commercial director at WB Chambers, added: “The UK has the highest standards in fruit production in terms of quality, flavour, variety of breeding and the minimal use of pesticides.

“It’s exceptionally important to producers like ourselves that companies such as Sodexo work with us to promote the wonderful, high quality British fresh berries that we grow and supply. We are proud to supply Sodexo with our raspberries, blackberries and blueberries so that their customers can enjoy home-grown fruits, and in doing so, really support the British economy.”