Catering and support services giant Sodexho admitted that it can learn from the successes of UK retailers as it looks to strengthen its position within the foodservice sector.
At the Re:fresh Conference, Steve Jobson, Sodexho’s UK purchasing controller for fresh food said he wants to see foodservice raise the bar in fresh produce. He said: “We are in our infancy and we can learn a great deal from the retailers. Foodservice has a 15 per cent share of the market, compared to 65 per cent for supermarkets, 15 per cent for wholesalers and five per cent for wholesalers. We have begun to negotiate directly with UK potato growers and with UK and European growers of peppers, cucumbers and tomatoes. It is our objective to have more transparency within the supply chain.”
Jobson said that logistics represents the greatest challenge to Sodexho’s fresh produce aspirations. The company is keen to support UK growers and Sodexho will increasingly look to work with suppliers to drive efficiencies through the chain. He added: “We are eager for producers to take up the challenge to work with the company.”
No comments yet