Suppliers are responding "encouragingly" to demand from hospitality operators for more sustainable goods but have some way to go before they're fully green, research has revealed.
A survey of 150 food and beverage manufacturers and wholesalers by procurement specialist Partners in Purchasing (PIP) found evidence that, with increasing numbers of operators developing their corporate social responsibility (CSR) polices, suppliers had responded in kind. This had resulted in an increase in availability of organic products, locally sourced produce and Fairtrade items, the study showed.
Increasing amounts of packaging and stationery materials now come from recycled sources and most delivery vehicles run on diesel, with ongoing efforts to limit delivery miles.
Diana Spellman, managing director of PIP, said: "There's an encouraging amount of suppliers demonstrating environmental responsibility.
"However, this will need to evolve further as most environmentally friendly products still account for only a small proportion of revenue - no more than 10%."
PIP was founded in 1997 by Spellman and Nirmal Kalsey. Clients include financial institutions, government, contract caterers, universities and care homes.
Green shoots of CSR
- Organic products feature on 1-10% of product lists.
- Locally sourced produce make up 25-50% of product lists.
- Fairtrade items make up 11-25% of product lists.
- No suppliers were knowingly selling genetically modified products.
Source: Partners in Purchasing
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By Chris Druce
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