Fresh Direct

FD can now recycle nearly all material coming through the supply chain
- paper
- cardboard
- hard and soft plastics
- wood
We have achieved - and are continuously working towards - a reduction of £0.5m worth cardboard PA
Wasted product either goes for animal feed or is put through our composter
We offer 100% plastic decant trays/ returnable trays – which helps reduce our customers landfill costs.
All of our cardboard goes to our recyclers
We recycle glycol from our warehouse fridge units to run our office air conditioning system making the use of traditional condensers obsolete.

Fresh Direct is pioneering the use of electric vehicles within the foodservice industry to see if it is a real alternative to diesel fuelled vehicles.
The purpose of this is to look at viability of an alternative delivery option, road test the technology to ensure that it can do the role that we would want it to do and to gather feedback from both customers and drivers.
As well as being beautifully quiet, the electric vehicles which are battery powered have zero tail pipe emissions, and so consequently would stamp our carbon footprint down.
Working with major manufacturers to see other technologies are commercially viable not only for vehicle engines but also refrigeration units.

FD has already started investing in Euro 5 engines and operates no vehicles that are less than Euro 4.
By the end of 2012 95% of our vehicles will be Euro 5.
Both Euro 5 and Euro 4 engines are designed to lower emissions on the 4 main pollutants.
Daily we monitor driver style that looks like at MPG performance, over idling, harsh braking, use of cruise control and any general poor driving.
Backhauling for reduced 'pallets of air' and which helps to reduce suppliers carbon footprint.
Offering collaborative supply service for customers.
Efficient route planning and scheduling ensures vehicles don't leave the depot half full.
Targeting to reduce a minimum of 500,000 vehicle miles in 2012 through less trips.

We offer growers long term contracts – this is both rare and offers stability in a non-trading environment
We work with key growers to amalgamate deliveries across different product groups – this is up and running with our Spanish growers already
FD supports Fairtrade products, which campaigns and supports better conditions for third world growers
FD offers full traceability on all products as standard
The Company operates at the highest level of the BRC accreditation and associated systems

Reducing our carbon footprint further
Supporting regionally and locally operating farmers/growers
Allowing customers true local sourcing potential
Moving vehicles closer to the customer
We are looking to reduce Locals units’ vehicle fleet by introducing efficiencies

The FreshGro initiative promotes and supports British farming
It reduces the risk associated with growing by direct contracts
FreshGro supports the reduction of food miles by working with farmers/growers close to FD operations
It encourages the promotion of new/forgotten varieties to increase produce sourced from the UK

Educating for the future – our NPD Chefs mentor school children through the ‘Future Chef’ programme. 2011: Matthew Chubb, from Richard Challoner School in New Malden, surrey. Got through to the Final round!
future chef is a springboard initiative. The Springboard Charity helps young, unemployed and disadvantaged people into a sustainable career in the industry. We have always believed that with the right help and guidance, people can find a place to suit them in this dynamic industry and Springboard works to help individuals reach their potential through the services we offer and the activities and programmes we run.
Fresh Direct support free school ‘enrichment’ days
Our Development Chefs take part in around 20 schools events a year to promote healthy eating and culinary education to our next generation
Our Marketing function designs and donates free display material to local schools, educating on fresh produce

We have a dedicated local charity, voted for by employees
We run The Barley Ball – Oxfordshire’s most exclusive charity ball
We regularly donate fresh fruit for local sporting events and for local schools during exams
We work with Re:plenish, the oxford food bank, to make a difference to how we think about food and waste. Visit www.oxfordfoodbank.co.uk for more information.
We also work with Oxfordshire County Council Waste Partnership
We donate to charities including Katherine House Hospice, ActionAid, St John Ambulance, Help For Heroes, Starlight Children's foundation, and The National Blind Children's Society.
The money from our recycled mobile phones goes to the Redwing Horse Sanctuary.

We are supporting Eat Seasonably, a non-profit campaign which helps everybody enjoy fruit and veg at its seasonal best: fresher, tastier and better for the environment.
To find out what to eat right now, plus tips, recipes and even step-by-step instructions to grow your own, visit www.eatseasonably.co.uk

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