An award-winning retailer is looking for closer links with suppliers to help reconnect consumers with the supply chain.
Cook, which creates and sells its own ready-meals in 18 outlets across the south east, said it is looking to source a greater proportion of fresh produce direct from producers.
James Perry, md, (right) said: “Our objective is very much about local sourcing and we’re very keen to start talking directly to producers.
“What we would like to do is restore the relationship between people who produce the food and those who buy it.”
Paul Homshaw, (left) ingredients buying manager, said they are hoping to benefit from stronger relationships with the supply base. “We are keen to exploit their expertise - there’s no reason why they can’t be suggesting new products to us that we might not have thought about before.”
Homshaw is a recent recruit to the business as part of its drive to improve its buying processes, Perry said. “We’ve set down five clear priorities we want from suppliers; reliability of supply, quality, price, provenance and a good relationship.”
However, while the company is keen to source local suppliers, it is not going to do so at the expense of quality. “If the chef doesn’t like the look of a product, he’ll send it away,” said Perry.
The retailer also recently celebrated after winning the award for best retailer of vegetarian ready-meals from the Vegetarian Society.
Perry said: “It’s the first consumer award we’ve won and we’re delighted with it."
