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 will eventually bring key innovations like improved sustainability and efficiency by using dynamic procurement methods to promote diversity in the food chain. As the framework grows, it also aims to encourage SME involvement, help buyers understand the broader impacts of their purchases and provide traceability of environmental effects.
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.
Supplier flexibility: Tailor your supply chain by nominating the suppliers you want to work with, in addition to leveraging our pre-approved network for maximum flexibility. We’ll take care of the hard work - pre-vetting and ensuring that your chosen suppliers meet all regulatory standards and compliance requirements.
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
As the framework evolves, our goal is to champion short, transparent supply chains that prioritises sustainability and social value. By fostering close collaboration with SMEs, we aim to offer clear insights into the origins of your food - who produces it, where it's sourced, and how it's made. This transparency is key to promoting sustainable practices, such as carbon reduction and biodiversity protection, while ensuring traceable food provenance.
Our ambition is to empower partners with data-driven insights that help meet net zero targets by minimising CO2 emissions across the entire food supply chain. Beyond environmental goals, we’re committed to building social value. The framework will enable you to nominate SME producers, both directly and through distributors, to support local economies and create lasting positive impacts. In doing so, we hope to address economic inequality, promote education, ensure fair opportunities, and enhance overall wellbeing throughout the supply chain.
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.
