Distribution specialist Keystone is urging foodservice operators and suppliers to take the sustainability agenda seriously.

The company carried out research among 40 foodservice chains and 40 food suppliers and manufacturers for its study Chain Reactions, looking at how the sector is responding to environmental issues and their effects on supply-chain partnerships.

The study found that almost half of suppliers (46 per cent) and over a third (36 per cent) of operators believe many companies do not take the issue of sustainability seriously. Three-quarters (73 per cent) of foodservice operators believe that the industry must hold up its hands and take responsibility.

Paul Pegg, vice-president of Keystone Distribution Europe and the author of the study, said: “There will be major changes in terms of sustainability and the wider agency of corporate social responsibility. In five years’ time, sustainability and environmental issues will come to the fore and all companies will be obliged to have policies. It can be risky to enter into a three- to-five-year contract today if the supply chain partner doesn’t have a sustainability plan in place for tomorrow. It’s important to seek out a supply chain partner who can use innovation to create an advantage for customers in the fields of sustainability and efficiency.”

Chain Reactions identified three major barriers to implementing sustainability practices:

Almost two-thirds of operators claim that reluctance to work together is a major barrier to the creation of a sustainable industry and a further third felt that collaborative partnerships lead to a loss of competitive advantage.

Meanwhile, 55 per cent of the operators questioned highlighted prohibitive costs as another barrier to the implementation of sustainable solutions and 46 per cent of foodservice operators felt their supply chain partner is ineffective at helping them to improve the sustainability of their business.

Pegg said: “Despite the barriers that the study revealed, it’s vital that operators and suppliers look at the sustainability practices of their supply chain partners - especially in today’s recessionary environment. Companies can work together for the greater good and add to both their bottom lines. Collaboration is the key to long term sustainable success.”

Keystone distributes tomatoes, cucumber, onions, lettuce and carrot sticks for McDonalds restaurants in the UK.

Topics