Solutions
The Buying Better Food and Drink Framework
Purposeful procurement, negotiated by us, chosen by you.
The Buying Better Food and Drink framework by Crown Commercial Service (CCS)* aims to reshape public sector food and drink procurement by offering a compliant, transparent, and simplified way to buy. Powered by Entegra’s unmatched purchasing expertise, and leveraging AgileChain technology, this initiative seamlessly connects buyers with a diverse range of SMEs, producers, and distributors through one, user-friendly online platform.
About the framework
The CCS framework is a free-to-use, regulation and food safety compliant, procurement solution available for all public sector organisations. As well as providing access to thousands of quality, competitively-priced food and drink products, it brings key innovations like improved sustainability and efficiency by using dynamic procurement methods to promote diversity in the food chain. It also encourages SME involvement, helps buyers understand the broader impacts of their purchases through farm-level data, provides traceability of environmental effects, and allows onboarding of new producers of your choice throughout the contract.
Ross and Andy, Farrington Farm, Somerset
Why you should be ‘Buying Better’
Convenience at your fingertips: Explore a vast selection of food ingredients and beverages to meet all your on-site catering needs. With comprehensive training and continuous support, you can access a user-friendly system for placing orders anytime, anywhere, for an effortless experience.
Seamless sustainable sourcing: Nominate and order from your preferred producers, enjoying fresh, seasonal food options from short supply chains. Support social value initiatives including net zero, biodiversity and animal welfare whilst boosting the local economy.
Competitive pricing with dependable service: Experience dependable food quality and service standards, backed by Entegra's unbeatable group purchasing power, expert advice and tailored solutions designed to fit your budget perfectly.
Sustainability
Through dynamic procurement approaches, the framework empowers you to support SMEs along short, transparent supply chains. You'll gain access to farm-level data, giving you clear insights into who produces your food, where it comes from, and how it's made. This transparency not only enhances provenance but also promotes sustainable practices like carbon sequestration and biodiversity protection. Plus, you'll receive actionable insights to help meet net zero targets by reducing CO2 emissions from farm to plate.
Building social value is also central to the framework, allowing you to nominate SME producers directly or via distributors to deliver transformative benefits to local economies. The framework also sets demanding requirements for the supply chain to address economic equality, enhance local education, provide menu engineering support, ensure equal opportunities, and advance wellbeing.
Start the Conversation
Want to know how you can get involved? Complete our short form to request a call or meeting. Alternatively, you can sign up to our Buying Better Food and Drink mailing list to be kept up to date on all the latest developments.
*Crown Commercial Service supports the public sector to achieve maximum commercial value when procuring common goods and services.
In 2019/20, CCS helped the public sector to achieve commercial benefits worth over £1bn - supporting world-class public services that offer best value for taxpayers.
