The purpose behind purchasing with Foodbuy

The Conscious Food Consumer is here to stay, with millions of Gen Z’s wanting assurance that their food has been grown and processed in a manner that meets their own standards of social and environmental responsibility. Consumers want to trace their food products back from farm to fork. They are seeking out good quality products and services that provide authenticity and transparency from the products and brands they buy from.

94% of consumers are likely to be loyal to a brand that offers complete transparency

This tells us that the workplace as we once knew it has moved way past the salary growth race and will be led by the new generation having a clear social and environmental voice. Today’s generation feel they have a larger environmental and social responsibility than the previous generation. They want to be active participants in their companies’ social purpose with a growing desire to collaborate on ideas, share goals and build a workplace community culture that considers its ethical responsibility.

In 2019, we became the first company in the food and drinks sector to join the Buy Social Corporate Challenge – a ground-breaking initiative which sees high-profile businesses use their everyday spend to transform lives. We are committed to spending £5 million with UK social enterprises to incubate and support small suppliers who are giving back to communities and tackling wider social and environmental issues. 

Having spent over £2.1 million with over 20 different social enterprises so far, we are working in partnership with a variety of brands including:

• Change Please – an award-winning social enterprise coffee company who are empowering homeless by training them to be baristas. So far, we’ve supported 67 people out of homelessness
• Toast Ale, an award-winning social enterprise craft beer company who turns surplus bread, that would otherwise be wasted into a ‘planet-saving beer’
• they turn surplus bread into a ‘planet-saving beer’
• Rubies in the Rubble, an award-winning brand of chutneys made from fruit and veg that, due to size, shape or colour would be thrown away, reducing food waste

50% of Gen Z’s report that knowing a brand is socially conscious influences their purchasing decisions

Social enterprises are greener, innovative and life-changing, more than traditional forms of organisations, and are the future of Business, employing more people worldwide, contributing financially, aiding poorer countries and celebrating inclusiveness and diversity.

All employees have the natural desire to be treated like human beings, with human needs, and not as robots. With mental health issues on the rise amongst millennials and Gen Z, a spotlight looms over businesses to look closer at workplace care. Here at Foodbuy we are extremely passionate when it comes to enhancing local communities as well as supporting movements or the greater good of our planet.

Click here to read more about our commitment to Social Enterprise and be sure to connect with Brooke Pinkney on 01822 813065 or via email at brooke.pinkney@compass-group.co.uk to start the conversation.