Supporting our SME, VCSE and diverse suppliers

As part of Sodexo’s commitment to the Clinton Global Initiative, we launched our Supply Chain Inclusion Programme in 2015, supporting 17 SME’s (small and medium size enterprises) that were owned by women, minority ethnic groups or social enterprises. The programme continues to this day, helping more SMEs become suppliers to Sodexo.

We work with WEConnect, MSDUK, Social Enterprise UK, Enterprise Nation, Scotland Food & Drink and Bord Bia to identify potential suppliers and invite the most exciting and relevant diverse businesses to join our programme.

We have developed a comprehensive, tailored programme that provides support to navigate our onboarding process for new suppliers, one-to-one mentoring and a guaranteed meeting with a relevant category manager.

In September 2023 Social Enterprise UK published its seventh the sixth annual Buy Social Corporate Challenge annual report, revealing in the last year the group of 30 major businesses have spent more than £991 million procuring services and products from social enterprises.

Since its launch the group has spent more than £2350 million and helped create 3,42,700 jobs.

From north to south, east to west, we scour the country for the best ingredients. It’s important to us that our suppliers are knowledgeable and passionate about their products and that sustainability and ethical practices are high on their agenda too.

Local provenance is a key consideration, both for our clients and Sodexo because we know that locally sourced food tends to be fresher and more sustainable.