Prior to the recent election, the Government’s commitment to achieve zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 put a lot of pressure on the food and drink industry.  

Research has shown that 78% of consumers find natural ingredients, environmental impact and how ethical a product is as the three most important factors when purchasing food and drink products.

Bidfood’s sustainability event ‘Plateful Pursuits for Positive Change’ focused on how caterers can reinvent their menus with seasonal produce, healthier and more inclusive dishes, while also taking into account animal welfare and carbon data.  

The day consisted on insightful talks from key players within the industry who promote sustainability such as the Sustainable Restaurant Association, Allmanhall, Upfield, Earthshot prize winners Notpla and ‘pioneers’ in climate intelligence technology CarbonCloud.

Julie Owst, head of sustainability at Bidfood, commented: “There’s a lot of work to be done to make food more sustainable and a key part of this is education and awareness, which this event has successfully achieved.

“The food we’re all eating, and unfortunately wasting, is a massive contributor to carbon emissions, so the food industry has a great role to play in influencing consumer behaviour about the food they eat. Carbon data will help, but we mustn’t forget other factors such as adopting regenerative farming methods and prioritising products with accreditations and certifications.

“It’s our mission to be a positive force for change at Bidfood, however, we can’t do it alone. Collaboration across the industry will be key to making that change. My team and I are very excited to be working on a solution to help the industry make more responsible choices and create that crucial educational piece so consumers can eat more sustainably.”

To read more about Bidfood’s ESG strategy, visit: https://www.bidfood.co.uk/sustainability/.