Scottish Government signs up Sodexo for four more years

Sodexo has announced a four-year extension to its catering contract with the Scottish Government, worth in the region of £11.6m.

The catering giant has provided services for the Scottish Government's 6,500 employees and visitors for the past nine years. The new deal, worth £2.9m a year in turnover, sees Sodexo's 75 employees continue to operate the Scottish Government's restaurant, coffee bar, vending and hospitality service at its eight sites in Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Lee Gallimore, Sodexo's group contract manager for the Scottish Government, said: "We are extremely pleased to continue our contract with the Scottish Government and are proud to be associated with a world-class public sector organisation. We are looking forward to building on the cornerstones that are already in place."

Sodexo said it had worked closely with its client towards sustainable food procurement. As a result, the percentage of Scottish sourced produce had increased. In April 2008 47% of beef and 68% of chicken purchased for the contract was from Scotland, but in April 2010 Sodexo had increased both of these to 100%. In addition to beef and chicken, Sodexo purchased 100% of milk, cream, sandwiches and bakery items from Scotland.

Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment Richard Lochhead said: "Sodexo has a reputation for working with suppliers to ensure demand for fresh and seasonal produce is met wherever possible.

"Alongside our national food and drink policy, we want to do more to help provide the public with the ingredients to make informed food choices and help create a healthier, wealthier and more environmentally sustainable Scotland."

Sodexo has created a bespoke offer for the new Scottish Government contract. It includes the Refresh brand, which will be rolled out across the contract from early June. The menus displayed will include the provenance of the ingredients used and in many cases the name of the farm. A commitment has also been made to achieve the Healthy Living Food Award Plus.

Sodexo will also continue to have responsibility for the maintenance of all the catering equipment as part of the new contract.

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By Janie Stamford

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