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Introduction Our people Our planet Our customers
Supporting prisoner rehabilitation
Providing opportunities at our depots
Through our partnership with Her Majesty's Prison
and Probation Service, we are pleased to offer
opportunities for offenders the chance to work at
Bidfood and begin integrating back into society
as part of the Release on Temporary Licence
(ROTL) programme, that can take place usually in
the last 12 months of their custodial sentence.
The ROTL programme has been in operation for a
number of years at our Paddock Wood depot, and
before the pandemic a number of ex-offenders
were placed here; some are still employed
following their official release. In August 2021, we
picked up the programme once again and have
employed several ex-offenders; 4 of which remain
on the ROTL programme and are employed as
warehouse operatives and as an administrator.
The Clink
The Clink Charity's aim is to reduce reoffending
through the training and rehabilitation of prisoners
in catering and horticulture. The prisoners at each
of The Clink training projects work up to 40-hours
a week whilst working towards gaining their City
& Guilds qualifications. Prisoners that have six to
eighteen months left to serve of their sentence
apply for the programme, going through full-time
training in order to reach the required level to
succeed in their respective industry. The Clink also
supports graduates with finding accommodation
after release, so that they are set up to take
the next steps for a more promising future.
This has shown to be successful with 49.6% of
prisoners less likely to reoffend. Bidfood has been
supporting The Clink for many years, including
through being a sponsor of their charity ball in
July this year at the Royal Lancaster in London.
Campaigning for school meal
funding to keep pace with inflation
In February 2022, our Group Sales and Marketing
Director Andy Kemp, who sits on the All Party
Government Committee for children's welfare and
feeding, worked in conjunction with LACA and
various MPs to write directly to (now) ex-Prime
Minister Boris Johnson and a number of other senior
politicians. He highlighted the financial gap in funding
for Universal Infant Free School Meals; it has only
increased slightly since its introduction in September
2014, but in the same timeframe, the National Living
Wage has increased by 41.8%, the Consumer Price
Index by 16.7% and Retail Price Index by 11.8%. Andy
asked the government to recognise the 'impossible
task' facing caterers who can no longer contain the
costs of food price inflation and increasing cost
to serve without further government funding.
Click here to read more on Andy Kemp's
challenges to the government
In June 2022, the government announced an
additional 7p increase in Universal Infant Free School
Meals funding and we're pleased they have recognised
the need for increased funding in this area. However,
this is still not enough. There has only been a 1.7%
increase in this funding since it was first introduced
in September 2014, and this funding isn't ring fenced
for school catering. Headteachers under pressure with
tight budgets can allocate the funding to other areas
such as equipment, furniture or towards their fuel
costs. There is a fear that the quality and standard of
school meals could further deteriorate, affecting all
areas of the catering industry, but especially children.
We will continue to campaign for increased funding
to be provided so caterers can afford to make all
schools meals healthy, nutritious and high quality.
Campaigning
for healthy,
nutritious and
high quality
school meals
Andy Kemp