2020/2021 was a challenging year for hospitality and
2020/2021 was a challenging year for hospitality and
2020/2021 was a challenging year for hospitality and
2020/2021 was a challenging year for hospitality and
foodservice; what are your main reflections on this
foodservice; what are your main reflections on this
foodservice; what are your main reflections on this
foodservice; what are your main reflections on this
past year?past year?past year?past year?
Well it certainly has been a rollercoaster of a year and
we, like the entire supply chain, have had numerous
issues to deal with along the way. On top of the
various national lockdowns, we've been navigating
changes as a result of Brexit, the 'pingdemic' and
nationwide HGV driver shortages - all of which have
meant that maintaining service levels for our
customers have been unusually challenging.
I am incredibly proud of how our best team have
pulled out all the stops to meet the demands that
2020/21 has thrown our way. Add onto that a
growing awareness of the climate crisis and the
urgent need to decarbonise; it's safe to say I've never
had a year like it in my career.
Can you highlight some of the progress Bidfood has
Can you highlight some of the progress Bidfood has
Can you highlight some of the progress Bidfood has
Can you highlight some of the progress Bidfood has
made towards its environmental and social
made towards its environmental and social
made towards its environmental and social
made towards its environmental and social
responsibilities?
responsibilities?
responsibilities?
responsibilities?
Absolutely. We've taken many steps forward, but the
main highlights would be:
Starting a partnership with Carbon Intelligence, who
are going to help us set a science-based net zero
carbon target
Covid and Brexit both increased the risk of modern
slavery in our operations and supply chain, so we've
implemented training for all our employees on this
We've improved our reporting on food waste and
have set a bold target reduction figure
We've been looking at ways to mitigate the impact of
climate change on our food supply chains, so we're
helping collectively fund research into water scarcity
in Murcia and Valencia - key sourcing areas for UK
fresh produce
We're continuing to make great progress in helping
customers reduce their plastics impact - in terms of
both recycled content and recyclability, as well as
reducing overall plastic content
What can we look forward to in this report? Anything
What can we look forward to in this report? Anything
What can we look forward to in this report? Anything
What can we look forward to in this report? Anything
you'd like to highlight?
you'd like to highlight?
you'd like to highlight?
you'd like to highlight?
Lots of our customers are interested in reducing
emissions in the supply chain, so we're part of a
WRAP research group that's helping drive progress
towards simplified and standardised emissions
reporting for imported goods
We're helping to fund a Footprint project on ethnicity
pay gaps and senior representation in the hospitality
industry
We've been running mental health awareness
sessions for all our people managers, in recognition
of the toll the pandemic has taken on our people
I'd also like to highlight the fact that as part of good
corporate governance, our report is always externally
verified and assured, enabling customers to trust
what we say as accurate and authentic.
What challenges and opportunities do you see ahead
What challenges and opportunities do you see ahead
What challenges and opportunities do you see ahead
What challenges and opportunities do you see ahead
of us, as we head towards 2022?
of us, as we head towards 2022?
of us, as we head towards 2022?
of us, as we head towards 2022?
We all need to get our heads around the enormity of
the role the global food system plays in determining
the health of our planet and its ecosystems. We have
a part to play in both educating and supporting our
customers to be more sustainable in their sourcing
and product choices. Some of this has a cost impact
but to put it bluntly, we will all pay the real price for
cheap food in regards to its impacts on land, oceans,
climate impacts and biodiversity for the next
generations. It's therefore vital to educate and enable
consumers to be careful consumers, and it's
encouraging to see a growing number of customers
driving demand for ethically and sustainably sourced
products, as well as asking for our advice and
guidance on a whole range of matters. The landscape
has changed unrecognisably in the last few years and
it's a journey that will only accelerate. We're also
looking forward to seeing what decisions the
government makes on the back of the National Food
Strategy. I hope you enjoy reading our report, which
explains our progress and commitments in key areas
of our products, our people, our environmental
impacts and our wider communities.
Interview with Andrew Selley
2020/2021 in review
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