Sodexo Marks British Food Fortnight With A Bespoke ‘Love Of Local’ Menu, Celebrating Best‑In‑Class Local Food
This year marks the 22nd anniversary of British Food Fortnight, the biggest event supporting British produce and involving almost every part of British life, from school and local communities to workplaces.
Sodexo, as an official partner of Love British Food – the founders of British Food Fortnight – is drawing on the organisation’s aim to raise awareness about the benefits of locally grown produce for its new, bespoke menu. Sodexo’s specially developed British Food Fortnight dishes will champion the diverse and delicious foods that different regions across Britain have to offer.
Full of local ingredients, the range includes well‑loved classics such as chicken, bacon and leek cottage pie with Savoy cabbage, hearty, slow‑cooked autumn pork roast, crispy pork sausages with creamy vegetable mash and sage‑roasted apple, as well as a traditional Yorkshire pudding wrap with pulled beef.
The ‘Love of Local' range also includes much‑loved traditional puddings including apple & blackberry crumble and chocolate bread & butter pudding.
The dishes will be available across 192 client sites in Britain where Sodexo serves its Modern Recipe and Kitchen Works Co. offers.
In addition to the Love of Local menu, Sodexo is also this week unveiling new video content designed to make the viewer extremely hungry, whilst showcasing an A‑Z of food the business sources in Britain. It includes the important message that 71% of its supply chain is sourced in Britain, with seasonal variations.
Charles Abraham, Food Platform Director, Sodexo, said: “Supporting farmers and other local producers in Britain sits at the heart of our responsible sourcing strategy. We are committed to supporting local communities and buying British is just one way we can achieve this. However, British food also makes good business sense – it travels a shorter distance so has a lower carbon footprint than imported produce, this contributes to our net zero 2040 roadmap. Lastly, British and Irish food is typically of very high quality and absolutely delicious. For all these reasons and more, we are proud to partner with Love British Food, not just for British Food Fortnight, but all year round.”
Sodexo is passionate about sourcing locally, supporting farmers and reducing food miles. It is committed to sourcing Red Tractor assured products, sustainable fish and products that are in season wherever possible. Sodexo was the first catering company to ensure that its eggs are free‑range and that its fresh meat, sourced from British farms, is Red Tractor accredited.
Alexia Robinson, Founder, Love British Food, said: “Sodexo has a special place within the Love British Food community as David Mulcahy, Food Innovation & Sustainability Director, was the first person in the food services sector to support us when we started the campaign. Sodexo truly understands the value of quality, home‑produced British food, as shown in the new A‑Z film released for British Food Fortnight. From its flagship work at major sporting and entertainment venues to its menus in workplaces and schools, it continues to play an influential role in food service in this country. We are absolutely delighted that Sodexo is an official partner of Love British Food, and we look forward to working with them for many years ahead.”
Using consumer insights to understand employees’ needs better, Sodexo launched Modern Recipe in 2018, with the objective of creating a new approach to workplace dining with a contemporary food offer and spaces that will ultimately elevate employee experience. This was followed by Kitchen Works Co. in 2019, which provides sites such as manufacturing and data centres a home‑to‑home feel to dining areas, with food that focuses on global cuisine and plant‑based dishes.
Love British Food is an independent organisation aiming at raising awareness across the UK and the supply chain about the benefits of sustainable, locally grown food. Encouraging people and businesses to favour British food, Love British Food’s purpose is ultimately to give farmers and food producers the confidence and the demand they need to grow their business and in turn, continue to produce high‑quality goods.
