Discover an easier route to compliant and sustainable food and drink

The Crown Commercial Service Buying Better Food and Drink agreement, delivered by Entegra, aims to simplify the buying process, improve sustainability and widen access to suppliers of all sizes. Through a single point of access for purchases and user-friendly data on pricing and provenance, its ambition is to make it easier to buy high quality food and drink at better prices.

Building simplicity into buying

Karen Beech, the commercial lead for food and drink at CCS, says that the starting point was making things easier: “The Buying Better Food and Drink agreement aims to make food buying choices simpler for public sector buyers - even for local authorities or schools that have tight budgets and specific requirements.”

Buyers will get access to an extensive network of reliable and sustainable food and drink suppliers, as well as regional and national food distributors. The simplicity comes through the single online portal, easy ordering and invoicing process, and a dedicated point of contact.

Easy access to information

Transparency is also key, says Karen, because it offers assurance around safety, welfare, sustainability and value for money: “Of the hundreds of food and drink products available through the agreement, all of them comply with the Government Buying Standards for Food and Catering Services and their prices are reviewed regularly. Over time, we’ll build up comparative data on aspects like soil quality and carbon footprints. It’s about helping buyers to pick the right products at the right price at the right time and ultimately save taxpayers money.”

Expert support on call

Entegra’s lead on the agreement, Clare O’Brien, explains how they’ll be helping buyers: “Cost-effectiveness is about what you choose and when, because something that’s in abundance will inevitably be cheaper. That’s why, as well as engaging distributors, managing vetting and reviewing prices, we’ll be helping buyers to optimise their strategies and make their budgets stretch further."

Space for buyers’ own lines

An extra benefit is that buyers can suggest products to include. “Let’s imagine a school wants to simplify its processes but a product it loves is not on an existing framework,” says Claire. “As long as it passes our vetting and meets the Government buying standards, we can add that line and producer to the portal."

Entegra is using AgileChain technology to streamline sourcing from local producers and SMEs, creating shorter and more dynamic supply chains. The aim is that in the future, buyers will be able to trace the full journey of particular produce and decide based on price, location and even farming practices.

Why not help it to grow?

CCS and Entegra are now talking to buyers to ensure the agreement meets their needs. For an informal chat about how it could make buying better for you, fill out the form below.