Foodbuy shortlisted for national award – The SE UK ‘Buy Social Market Builder Award’

4 September 2023

Foodbuy UK, a leading food procurement organisation, is incredibly proud to be a finalist in the UK Social Enterprise Awards, recognising its commitment to working with social enterprises who create positive change for people and planet. 

Social enterprises are mission-led businesses that reinvest or donate most of their profits for a social or environmental purpose.  Foodbuy are dedicated to buying from social enterprise suppliers, so that its day-to-day business has a positive impact on the wider world.

The UK Social Enterprise Awards recognise excellence and innovation across 15 categories. Foodbuy are a finalist in the ‘Buy Social Market Builder’ category, which recognises an organisation that has demonstrably made efforts to create more opportunities to buy from social enterprises.

Harinder Singh, Head of Sustainability and Compliance at Foodbuy UK said:

"At Foodbuy UK, we are honoured to be shortlisted in this year’s SE UK Awards. This recognition is a testament to our dedication to creating meaningful opportunities for social enterprises in our supply chain. We truly believe that business can be a powerful force for positive impact, driving not only economic growth but also social and environmental progress. We are incredibly proud to be using our spend and influence to deliver real tangible impact to the communities and people we serve, through meaningful partnerships with innovative suppliers. No matter the outcome, we are committed to continue fostering social change through impactful procurement.”

Having beaten stiff competition with more than 400 entries this year, Foodbuy will join other finalists and VIP guests at a prestigious ceremony in London’s iconic Roundhouse on Thursday 30 November, when the winners will be revealed.

The Awards are run by Social Enterprise UK, the leading membership body for social enterprises. There are more than 100,000 social enterprises in the UK, employing around two million people and contributing £60bn to the national economy each year – while also tackling some of the biggest challenges facing people and planet.

Peter​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌ Holbrook CBE, chief executive of Social Enterprise UK, commented:

“Our Awards are the ultimate showcase of the impact and excellence of social enterprises. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​Those who made the shortlist are a beacon of innovation, optimism and resilience in turbulent times.

“‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​These are trailblazers and standard-setters for better business, making profit but not putting it before people and planet – and they do all this under the same immense pressures as other businesses, with the long-term impacts of Covid and a national cost of living crisis. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​

“The challenges we face as a society demand new approaches and a shift in how businesses - big and small - act.‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​ All those celebrated at our Awards are the brightest stars in a brilliant sector, giving us inspiration and motivation to do business better.” ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​