Responsible and Sustainable Sourcing
The second Footprint Forum, organised by the publishers of Foodservice Footprint, attracted a wide cross section of the foodservice industry from distributors of food and equipment to operators and suppliers.
The Forum, which was held at Brakes Group’s Food Innovation Centre in Covent Garden, saw Neil Stephens, newly appointed Managing Director of Nestlé Professional, take centre stage to expound his views on achieving responsible and sustainable sourcing.
Stepping up to the mark, Stephens gave the keynote address in which he stressed the importance of scale in any sustainable operation. He also warned that we all have to be more aware of what we really need, in terms of natural resources, and make conscious decisions not to take what we don’t need.
He posed the question: “Is responsible sourcing more than just ethical?” and went on to quote champion yachtswoman Ellen MacArthur. MacArthur, who recently retired from competitive sailing to concentrate on environmental campaigning, told listeners to BBC Radio 4’s ‘Desert Island Discs’: “When you sail on a boat you take with you the minimum of resources. You don't waste anything. You don't leave the light on; you don't leave a computer screen on. And I realised that on land we take what we want.”
“This is a perfect illustration of conscious and unconscious consumption,” he said. “In order to survive we have to be more refined in what we help ourselves to. To illustrate the point, take the recent MPs’ expenses debacle: just a year ago the majority of MPs caught up in it would probably have said that what they were doing was the accepted standard and that therefore there was nothing wrong in it. They have probably significantly re-evaluated their opinion since then.” He said we have to do the same in terms of consumption: what was the norm is not now.
“We must urgently reassess what we really need and what we have been used to having and this is what survival boils down to. We have to stop looking day to day and for the sake of future generations we must take a longer perspective.”
Following Stephens’ address the Footprint Forum panel debated a series of questions from delegates around the subject of Responsible and Sustainable Sourcing. Panel members let their opinions be known in a no holds barred debate which threw up the following responses.
David Clarke of Assured Food Standards addressed a question relating to the Government promoting polices for the UK to be self sufficient in food by warning: “Long term we have to be self sufficient in food. We cannot bank on continuing imports at the level they are now because it may become more attractive for overseas growers to supply markets that are nearer to them. We may have to revise our vision for the future.”
On the subject of the future for organic production and reduced yields the panel was asked whether they thought it is just a matter of time before GM production, an issue that refuses to go away, becomes the norm. Wolfgang Weinmann of Cafedirect had this to say: “During the past 18 months of the credit crunch organic market products have suffered more than certified Fairtrade and Rainforest Alliance. If organic farmers fail to achieve realistic prices for their produce then organic production does become an issue.”
Rob McFarlane of Brakes was emphatic that we have to be clear about the real or imagined benefits of organic produce and that where they exist these benefits need to be set out. As for GM he reckoned it is a subject that definitely needs to be examined in more detail. “We have to feed the world and after all, what is the difference between genetically modifying cereals and grains to selective breeding of cattle? We have been cross breeding cattle for years – after all Belgian Blue is not a natural breed,” he pointed out.
Allan Edwards of Compass called for more investment into understanding the issues involved in developing GM crops: “Defra must address it. Two recent Parliamentary speeches have already included GM in their content. The subject is already creeping back onto the agenda and there must be more research into it. Is anybody supporting development of nano-technology and GM? We need to know. In terms of food security we absolutely must not stand back from it but rather look at it, understand it and assess it.”
David Clarke raised the point that GM food production has already gained ground outside Europe with Wolfgang Weinmann saying: “In China, Brazil and India GM crops are growing as we speak. Now we have to work out how we can work with these countries in a way that resolves food security. We also need to know who is driving its growth in these countries? Is it business or governments?”
The thorny subject of the Carbon Reduction Commitment (in force from 1 April) provoked comment from Ian Booth of Reynolds that 2011 will see some companies caught out of they haven’t done their homework. “For a tonne of CO2 saved, a company is £12 in credit but failure to achieve that could cost £70 plus.” So what can companies do to meet the demands of the scheme? Paul Pegg of Keystone Distribution had this advice: “Get to work with employees, look at your warehouse operations and so on. Quite simply, get employees to sign up to it and take a collaborative approach up and down the supply chain.”
He went on to cite the findings of a study conducted by Southampton University of 83 retail outlets in Winchester High Street which set out to quantify the vehicle activity supplying core goods and services to, and removing waste, recyclate and customer returns from the High Street premises. Around 80% used the same delivery company but a bevy of different operators for removing waste and taking returns which begged the question, ‘Why not share more?’
Neil Stephens jumped on this saying it echoed the point in his keynote speech about working together wherever possible. “It is happening. We don’t always need to be competitive – we can work with other major companies and suppliers to reduce road miles and waste. We have already linked up with a major competitor to reduce Easter Egg packaging which is producing savings in packaging and road miles for both of us. It takes us, the large operations to be open minded. It shows you can be virtuous and have cost savings.”
However, he added that the UK is ahead of the game in this area and warned there would probably be greater challenges when bringing in goods from abroad where the issues of packaging and waste have not yet been addressed to the same degree.
In answer to a question about why products with overt sustainability or health benefits come with a cost premium to operators and whether suppliers can help even out the price differential with less ethical products, Stephens said it was unfortunate and shouldn’t be so but that by creating a more sustainable supply chain the knock on effect would be reinvestment in producing sustainable product in a more efficient and effective manner. Weinmann added: “It shouldn’t be more expensive. Efficiency in the supplier chain can be built in and we are slowly building in ethical concerns. However, we cannot have everything healthy, sustainable and on the cheap.”
As to the burning question about why the Armed Forces don’t get British bacon the simple explanation according to Rob McFarlane is because it is more expensive than imported. “We struggle to source 6-7 tonnes a week,” he said. “It doesn’t help that they only like back bacon. We have tried other cuts such as collar and middle but the feedback from the front line is they find it too fatty.”
Allan Edwards’ response was unequivocal: “The problem is compounded because so many British bacon suppliers have gone out of business because they got no favours from the Government. Also, thousands of squaddies need three meals a day amounting to 4,000 calories and the Government allows just £3.60 per soldier per day to do this. Who is going to pay the extra premium for British bacon?”
As the second Footprint Forum closed, the message coming from speakers and the panel of industry experts was that responsible and sustainable sourcing offers big challenges for all; that it needs to be addressed in the long and not short term and that – radical suggestion – competing businesses and organisations can work together to achieve this goal.
Next Footprint Forum 27th May 2010. For more information please contact events@footprint-forum.com
Thursday, March 18, 2010
footprint intelligence
Footprint Media Group, through its publications, website and Forum, is the ‘go to’ resource for information and debate on the environmental issues that impact the industry. As part of the group, Footprint Intelligence develops this further by providing detailed research and analytical reports on the industry.
Footprint Intelligence offers a new approach to industry analysis by not only providing a top level general analytical approach, but by delving deeper into the environmentally sustainable credentials of a business.
The approach combines an extensive on-line sustainability evaluation with available human resource assistance, in order to ensure that the client fully comprehends the questions and is able to make a full and valid response.
Footprint Intelligence does not seek to provide an accreditation stamp for the industry, although its report will provide a valuable environmental assessment of the client’s business. Its aims are to create a realistic industry benchmark through research and enable client companies to assess their environmental and sustainable performance in their day to day business activities. It allows realistic benchmarks to be drawn as well as guide clients in understanding their performance against those benchmarks, thereby providing the information to improve upon their footprint for the benefit of the whole industry
The final research product strives to maintain the highest level of integrity, assigning responsibility for the accuracy of the data and adding value by providing supplier summaries, comparative scores and access to the raw data that has been captured during the process.
Footprint Intelligence offers a new approach to industry analysis by not only providing a top level general analytical approach, but by delving deeper into the environmentally sustainable credentials of a business.
The approach combines an extensive on-line sustainability evaluation with available human resource assistance, in order to ensure that the client fully comprehends the questions and is able to make a full and valid response.
Footprint Intelligence does not seek to provide an accreditation stamp for the industry, although its report will provide a valuable environmental assessment of the client’s business. Its aims are to create a realistic industry benchmark through research and enable client companies to assess their environmental and sustainable performance in their day to day business activities. It allows realistic benchmarks to be drawn as well as guide clients in understanding their performance against those benchmarks, thereby providing the information to improve upon their footprint for the benefit of the whole industry
The final research product strives to maintain the highest level of integrity, assigning responsibility for the accuracy of the data and adding value by providing supplier summaries, comparative scores and access to the raw data that has been captured during the process.
footprint forum
The Footprint Forum is a membership body that brings together the industry’s key decision makers and opinion formers; those with the power to influence, be it from a corporate, media or political stand point, to initiate cultural change.
Members are a representation of all key stakeholder groups within the business of major events and municipal infrastructure.
Footprint Forum is not a conference, it is not a lecture, but a Forum/Symposium, which is entirely interactive and is intended to allow members to air their opinions, uncover the paradoxes and hypocrisies, and to network within a non-competitive environment with its heart on a sustainable future.
As with all Footprint Media Group activities, we are simply encouraging transparency, debate and cooperation to find the right balance between commercial and environmental realities.
The Forum comes together for a General Meeting four times a year at various venues. The format combines keynote speeches and presentations with a Q&A Panel of top industry executives and networking opportunities. These meetings are punctuated by Special Interest Groups (SIG’s) which exclusively focus on separate areas such as energy, water, waste, and transport, and are encouraged to meet separately.
For information about joining Footprint Forum, please contact:
admin@footprint-forum.com.
Members are a representation of all key stakeholder groups within the business of major events and municipal infrastructure.
Footprint Forum is not a conference, it is not a lecture, but a Forum/Symposium, which is entirely interactive and is intended to allow members to air their opinions, uncover the paradoxes and hypocrisies, and to network within a non-competitive environment with its heart on a sustainable future.
As with all Footprint Media Group activities, we are simply encouraging transparency, debate and cooperation to find the right balance between commercial and environmental realities.
The Forum comes together for a General Meeting four times a year at various venues. The format combines keynote speeches and presentations with a Q&A Panel of top industry executives and networking opportunities. These meetings are punctuated by Special Interest Groups (SIG’s) which exclusively focus on separate areas such as energy, water, waste, and transport, and are encouraged to meet separately.
For information about joining Footprint Forum, please contact:
admin@footprint-forum.com.
the journal
Launched on Earth Day 2008, the journal Foodservice Footprint addresses the environmental implications to all aspects of the foodservice process, from farm to fork, and is targeted at every provider of food out of home.
As a respected industry journal, Foodservice Footprint aims to illuminate the path to a greener industry by highlighting and encouraging informed discussion on the issues that matter. Our objective is to analyse issues rather than pay lip service to the perceived realities of common populist themes.
The Editors, however, are mindful to inform but not to preach. There is no right, nor wrong. There are commercial realities and there are environmental realities and the role of Foodservice Footprint is to uncover the common ground. We provide a vehicle to allow operators and suppliers to learn from those with the experience to become environmentally proactive in their own operational sphere.
Foodservice Footprint contains news, views and interviews with some of the key players in the industry’s drive towards fully sustainable practice. Sommeliers can read about bio-dynamic and organic wines, F&B Managers can discover the latest artisan producers and chef’s can follow the subjects of sustainability, traceability, local sourcing and provenance. Meanwhile, operations managers can review the latest energy saving equipment, be it for the warehouse, the kitchen or distribution, and sustainability managers can learn from the experiences of their contemporaries.
As a respected industry journal, Foodservice Footprint aims to illuminate the path to a greener industry by highlighting and encouraging informed discussion on the issues that matter. Our objective is to analyse issues rather than pay lip service to the perceived realities of common populist themes.
The Editors, however, are mindful to inform but not to preach. There is no right, nor wrong. There are commercial realities and there are environmental realities and the role of Foodservice Footprint is to uncover the common ground. We provide a vehicle to allow operators and suppliers to learn from those with the experience to become environmentally proactive in their own operational sphere.
Foodservice Footprint contains news, views and interviews with some of the key players in the industry’s drive towards fully sustainable practice. Sommeliers can read about bio-dynamic and organic wines, F&B Managers can discover the latest artisan producers and chef’s can follow the subjects of sustainability, traceability, local sourcing and provenance. Meanwhile, operations managers can review the latest energy saving equipment, be it for the warehouse, the kitchen or distribution, and sustainability managers can learn from the experiences of their contemporaries.
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