Aramark's Food & Environment Research Agency team wins Corporate Responsibility Award

US contract caterer Aramark has awarded its team at the Food & Environment Research Agency (FERA) its Corporate Responsibility Award for 2009.

The award, which forms part of Aramark's core corporate responsibility programme, aims to motivate and educate staff at its various client sites around the UK on environmental, sustainable and ethical issues.

In order to qualify for the award shortlist, staff must be instrumental in implementing new corporate responsibility initiatives in order to pick up maximum points throughout the year.

Stuart Wood, catering manager at FERA explained: "After achieving third place last year (2008), we were determined to win, which is why our team created an innovative programme to target all areas of corporate responsibility that fitted in with our business.

"For example, we earned valuable points by supporting our local community with school visits, hosted fundraising events and reduced oven-on times in our kitchens. We gained further points by running two FLORA healthy heart days for FERA staff and by supporting the use of locally sourced meat and vegetables, in association with British Food Fortnight."

The FERA team received £5,000 to donate to charity as part of their award. The on-site team decided to support three local charities: £4,000 went to Nuzzlets (Rescued Animals for Therapy and Education) to spend on a multi-use mobile classroom to teach children about planting fruit and vegetables and healthy eating. A further £500 has been given to the Special Care Baby Unit at York District Hospital and £500 to the York District Motor Neurone Disease charity.

Val Carter, corporate responsibility director, Aramark, added: "Aramark is committed to corporate responsibility throughout its business portfolio and this competition is a great way to motivate staff members on social, environmental and sustainable issues. This year is the second time we have run the award and the quality of entries has been incredibly strong. We encourage entrants for 2010 to continue to push boundaries and make a real difference throughout their business."

Aramark to reduce saturated fat in switch to 1% milk>>

Hospitality operators in newly published Corporate Responsibility Index>>

Aramark launches training course for parents>>

By Janie Stamford

E-mail your comments to Janie Stamford here.

If you have something to say on this story or anything else join the debate at Table Talk - Caterer's new networking forum. Go to www.caterersearch.com/tabletalk

Caterersearch.com jobs
Looking for a new job? Find your next job here with Caterersearch.com jobs