Responsible Sourcing

We are a significant purchaser spending £800m annually with more than 5,000 suppliers, so it is essential to develop trusting, mutually beneficial, long-term relationships to guarantee the quality and safety of products across our supply chain.

Our approach to sustainable supplies includes sourcing products that meet industry marques and partnering with suppliers from the regions where we operate.

We believe that, wherever possible, we should purchase fairly traded and ethically sourced products. As such, we expect them to comply with our supply chain code of conduct, which covers human rights, business ethics and environmental management practices This ensures better trading conditions for producers and helps us build lasting relationships with global suppliers that have sustainable business.

Sodexo's commitments to improving sustainable practices within the supply chain fit firmly into our responsible sourcing strategy as outlined in our Better Tomorrow 2025 commitments.

• We are committed to sourcing Red Tractor assured products. Sodexo was the first catering company to ensure that its fresh poultry, sourced from British farms, is Red Tractor accredited.
• We prioritise sustainable fish and seafood from accredited sources such as Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certified fisheries and farmed fish from well managed and sustainable sources.
• In the UK and Ireland, all liquid and shell eggs are now cage-free.
• We focus on locally-sourced products that are in season wherever possible.
• In partnership with the WWF, we have committed to eliminating deforestation from our supply chain by 2030. Four agricultural products, in particular, are at the heart of our plan: beef, soy, palm oil, and paper. We have already achieved our goals for 100% sustainable palm oil and paper. 

Sodexo continues to strive to be industry-leading in the landscape of modern slavery and continues our Tackling Modern Slavery programme. 

• We act on emerging risks: Across the UK and Ireland, we employ 30,000 people and spend over £800m annually. We're committed to preventing Modern Slavery by managing risks in our supply chain and acting promptly on advice.
• We work closely with expert partners: We continue to grow our network of partners to help us extend our due diligence. This includes working with government departments and agencies, including the Home Office and Cabinet Office, leading assurance company Veriso, along with NGOs such as Hope for Justice, Unseen and Action for Sustainability.  
• We lead cross industry collaboration: Sodexo founded the BSA Modern Slavery Council in 2022. The Council published a practical toolkit for tackling Modern Slavery in infrastructure and service projects in 2023, based on the UN Guiding Principles for Labour Sourcing. This toolkit outlines high-risk areas, victim profiles, and a user-friendly checklist for responsible practices.
• We continue to raise awareness by engaging suppliers, colleagues, and stakeholders: We established our Modern Slavery Strategic Supplier Forum in 2021. Including suppliers of all sizes, we meet every six months to highlight new risks, share best practice and agree common commitments and training needs. 
• We are open to new solutions and new ways of working: We recognise that addressing Modern Slavery requires collaborative efforts, as its forms evolve and demand ongoing vigilance. Committed to minimizing risks, we're open to forming new partnerships to enhance our impact.