THE WINNERS of the fourth annual Footprint Awards were last night [22nd May] finally revealed at a glittering ceremony at the prestigious East Wintergarden, after a series of recounts due to nail-bitingly close judging scores across the categories.
In an unprecedented turn of events, which organisers hailed as another sign that entry standards in 2014 were exceptionally high, the scores across all categories had to be checked against key criteria three times as the numbers were so tight.
Judges commented that it had been “extremely tough to pick just one winner from all the entries, when so many deserved recognition of the achievements they had made in the past year.”
The Footprint Awards are the only scheme of its kind, recognising the outstanding sustainability achievements of businesses – great and small – throughout the foodservice supply chain.
Winners on the night included some of the biggest names in the foodservice and hospitality industries such as Coca-Cola, WRAP and Aramark & Chef Direct whilst Café Muse, Manchester Museum, took home the Community Vote proving that you don’t have to be big to be making a big impact.
The winners of the awards are carefully selected by a panel of expert judges, using strict criteria to measure the sustainable impact of each product, company or service.
Speaking at the event Nick Fenwicke-Clennell, CEO of Footprint said: “Five years on from the first Footprint Awards and I’m delighted to see the progression and number of businesses who are helping to put sustainability at the forefront of the foodservice industry. Whether it’s in the area of natural resource, energy or waste, the sustainability campaigns and initiatives being pioneered by companies large and small have become intrinsic to business.”
Charles Miers, Managing Director of Footprint, commented: “All of this year’s winners highlight the on-going brilliant achievements of some of the biggest and most entrepreneurial names in the foodservice and hospitality industry. But it’s not just large corporations who are helping to make a difference, we want to thank everyone who entered this year’s awards, big and small, for their wonderful efforts to reduce the impact of their processes or services on the environment and on society.”
As ever the Footprint Awards continued to push the boundaries of the sustainability story by placing a red Massey Fergusson agricultural tractor in the heart of the East Wintergardens, and presenting guests with a live dashboard that contained real time facts and figures about the responsibility, sustainability and provenance of all aspects of the Footprint Awards menu. The brand new technology was created with the help of Green10 and Winnow Solutions and is the first of its type to showcase the sustainability of such an event.
Sustainable Use of Natural Resource Award sponsored by Solo Cup Europe
The Award was presented by Rebecca Turner of sponsor Solo Cup Europe to Roger Oliver of the winner The Caterers Linen Supply.
This category focused on the efficient management and use of natural resource – water, fuel, land, energy to meet the needs we have today and help sustain those resources for use by future generations. Judges in this category focused on significant provable reduction of use of natural resources, impact, lifecycle, efficient management, renewable resources and technology.
Shortlisted in this category were:
Bidvest 3663
The Caterer’s Linen Supply
Mara Seaweed
The Runner Up, Mara Seaweed, the judges said showed very innovative thinking around future food production/consumption.
Of the winner one judge said showed Significant innovation within a very traditional process to achieve the objectives of this category.
Waste Management & Reduction Award sponsored by The Spirit Pub Company and Kuehne & Nagel
The award was presented by Vance Fairman-Smith and Kevin Hulme of sponsors The Spirit Pub Company and Kuehne & Nagel to Giustina Diana of winner Coca-Cola Enterprises.
A great deal of work has gone into the waste agenda in foodservice and hospitality. Entrants were judged on their work to effectively manage and reduce waste – food, water, packaging and other resource. Judges were looking for clear and accurate processes, collaboration, demonstrable, tangible and provable advances made, staff engagement and development of infrastructure.
Shortlisted companies in this category were:
Brakes
Coca-Cola Enterprises
Lexington Catering
Nestle Professional
Winnow Solutions
Of the Runner Up Lexington Catering the judges said “Clear targets and results, the project engages behaviour across the total supply chain and has shown end user success”.
Of the winner, for the entry ‘Engaging Consumers in Sustainability’ judges said “This project has delivered results across the supply chain gaining customer pledges, embracing partnerships and education. The brands involved should be proud of their message”.
Environmentally Efficient Logistics Award sponsored by Nestle Professional
The award was presented by Paula Moon of sponsor Nestle Professional to joint winners Aramark and Chef Direct for their entry ‘Slashing carbon emissions, road miles and deliveries’.
Food miles are a concept understood by the consumer hence the amount of attention this category has received over the last few years. But rising fuel costs has highlighted the importance of efficiency. The efficient planning and execution of logistics is something this industry pays great attention to. Judges focus was on reduced emissions, strategies, and method of transport, efficiency and collaboration.
Shortlisted in this group were:
Aramark & Chef Direct
Bidvest3663
The Spirit Pub Company
The Runner was Bidvest3663 who showed, judges said, Impressive achievements across a large scale business.
Of the winning Aramark and Chef Direct entry the judges said was A very strong, integrated initiative that fully meets the criteria, delivering new solutions to customers with real environmental benefits.
Responsible Sourcing Award sponsored by Red Tractor
The Award was presented by David Clarke of sponsor Red Tractor to the winner Ampersand.
The Sustainable Sourcing Award is all about sourcing effectively and without damaging the environment and future supply chains. But as an industry that has food sourcing at the heart of all of its operations it can be a challenge. This category is hotly contested and judges look for minimal environmental impact, investment, strategy, continuous scrutiny and long term plans and a net positive effect.
Shortlisted were:
Ampersand
Court Catering Equipment
University of Manchester
The Runner with their entry The University of Manchester and Manchester Veg People is The University of Manchester.
The Winner of the Footprint Awards 2014 Responsible Sourcing Award for their work at Wakehurst Place a “Project with passion, clear goals and results” is Ampersand.
Sustainable Supplier Award sponsored by Sodexo UK & Ireland
The award was presented by Wan Mak from sponsor Sodexo UK & Ireland to Roger Oliver from the winner The London Linen Group.
One of the most hotly contended categories. In hardship businesses are always looking to keep costs down, maintain employment yet boost profit. Many businesses have used this opportunity to look at sustainability; their impact and have adjusted working practices to fulfill this criteria. This category is all about the innovators and those that really scrutinise the responsibility of their product. Judges looked for evidence how the product has benefitted the customers, economic benefits, and consistency of supply, environmental impact, social impact, and innovation.
Shortlisted in this Category were:
Delphis Eco
Huhtamaki
London Linen Group
Uptown Biodiesel
Wyke Farms
The Runner up for what the judges said was an Excellent submission – clear objectives and achievements is Huhtamaki.
Of the winner London Linen Company, the judges said “Clear market leader making investment to drive sustainability. Impressive innovations in a very traditional process”.
Energy Efficiency Award sponsored by Brakes
The award was presented by Ken Mulholland of sponsor Brakes to Rich Clothier of winner Wyke Farms for their entry 100% Green which judges said showed “Impressive developments across a range of approaches”.
Energy Efficiency has been a big focus for the industry this year and is not set to stop so this really is a very important category. Entrants to this category needed to highlight where and how savings have been made throughout the supply chain – growing, storing, process and delivery. Judges looked for proof of reductions, design, innovation, implementation, strategies and savings.
Shortlisted for this awards were:
Court Catering Equipment
Quintex
Wyke Farms
The Runner Up was Court Catering for their entry Sustainability and the Sign of The Don.
Sustainable Catering Equipment Manufacturer Award sponsored by CH&Co
The award was presented by Caroline Fry of sponsor CH&Co to Peter Brewin from the winner Victor Manufacturing for Optimax SQ.
The Foodservice industry consumes a vast amount of energy and joined up thinking is only just emerging. The equipment to help preserve energy and other resource is vital. Judges in this category were looking for design, materials, lifecycle, proof of efficiency and an operational track record.
Shortlisted in the category were:
Active Food Systems’ Synergy Grill
Electrolux Professional
Gram UK
Victor Manufacturing
Winterhalter
The Runner Up was Gram for a “Very good submission that has been rigorously tested”.
Of the winner Victor, judges said “Excellent submission. Very effective, clever and a needed product that meets the criteria for the category”.
Economic Sustainability Award sponsored by Johnson’s Stalbridge
The award was presented by Alan Mulholland of sponsor Johnson’s Stalbridge to Rich Clothier from the winner Wyke Farms.
Entries had to demonstrate where cost savings or business advantage has been created by the introduction of a strategy that supports sustainability. Judges were looking at strength of policy, tangible increase in revenues and profitability, stakeholder engagement as a result.
Shortlisted were:
Enterprise Inns
The Spirit Pub Company
Wyke Farms
The Runner Up Spirit Pub Company for their entry ‘Sustainable Economy through logistical excellence’.
Of the winner, Wyke Farms, judges said Very well presented submission. Fantastic story and a great example to others.
Stakeholder Engagement Award sponsored innocent
The award was presented by Kevin Jones of sponsor Innocent Drinks to Charlotte Henderson and Brendan Hunter from the winner WRAP for their work with the Hospitality & Foodservice.
Stakeholder Engagement is hard to measure and this category is all about the most effective engagement programme aimed at stakeholders both inside and outside of the business. Judges focused on communication plans and execution, demonstrable buy-in, availability, format and channels of engagement, activities and recognition.
Shortlisted Companies for the Stakeholder Engagement Award were:
Green10
Solo Cup Europe
WRAP
The Runner Up in this Category, of which one judge said “Excellent submission – particularly liked the focus on the young people and educating them in a fun way”, was Solo Cup Europe for their entry Sustainable Christmas.
Of WRAP’s winning entry a judge said “It is this type of initiative that will drive progress within the foodservice market and WRAP need to be applauded and recognised for their work”.
Social Impact & Diversity sponsored by Green 10
The award was presented by Kate Windebank of Acquire/Green10 to James Armitage from the winner Enterprise Inns for the Community Hero Award Scheme.
This is a new category and a social issue of growing importance in the industry. This award seeks to reward social initiatives that have a positive impact on the business, its community and stakeholders. Judges looked for impact, innovation and expertise gained as a result, diversity, involvement and tangible successful feedback.
Shortlisted were:
Centerplate
CH&Co
Compass Group
Enterprise Inns
Sodexo UK & Ireland
Of the Runner up with what judges said was a Very good submission – clear objectives and achievements to date was CH&Co.
Of the winner Enterprise Inns, one judge said “This is what I call sustainability working at its best.
Empowerment with the right level of support and confidence mixed with encouragement is the tool to success. Long may Enterprise continue to support this scheme and may it teach others to follow suit.”
Sustainability in Education Award sponsored by TUCO
The award was presented by Julie Barker of sponsor TUCO, to John Turner of the winner Durham University.
Millions of people are fed every day in educational institutions. Sustainable practice is vital to the education sector not only in its reach but influencing the culture of the future. Higher education, in particular caters for a demographic with high ethical expectations.
But with pressure on price points higher contract, higher education caterers and local authorities have difficult choices to make in their sourcing and operational policies. This award is a reflection of an organisation’s success in this in the face of an ever more knowledgeable and demanding customer and much media scrutiny.
Those shortlisted were:
University of Brighton
Durham University
University of Manchester
Of the Runner Up the University of Brighton, a judge said “Good metrics, evidence of achievement and wide ranging programme. Ownership by the team delivers sustainability”.
Of the winner, Durham University, a judge commented “A great example of taking the simple things and making them really work whilst identifying the challenges and not being afraid to tackle them. Durham’s project could provide the University sector with a valuable set of benchmarks as well as a blue print for others to work to.”
Special Achievement Award sponsored by Essential Cuisine
The Special Achievement Award 2014 was presented to Nicki Fisher of Pret A Manger by Neil Corlett sponsor Essential Cuisine.
This award recognises individual contribution to environmental, social or economic sustainability. This is a hotly contested category and one that attracts a great deal of attention every year. Last year’s winner was Anne Pierce of the Springboard Charity and this years nominations were:
Rich Clothier – Wyke Farms
Nicki Fisher – Pret A Manger
Harriet Lamb – Fairtrade International
William McCartney – The Sussex Partnership NHS Trust
Peter Melchett – The Soil Association
Simon Mills – The City of London Corporation
Baroness Scott – House of Lords
The Runner Up of this year’s Footprint Awards 2014 Special Achievement Award is William McCartney of The Sussex Partnership NHS Trust.
Of the winner Nicki Fisher a judge commented “Nicki has helped to establish Pret as a supremely high quality and pioneering force in everything they do within the Foodservice sector. She has been a catalyst for good in the Foodservice sector and an inspiration by backing environmental based statements with real resource”.Nicki Fisher has worked for Pret A Manger for 16 years and been Head of Sustainability for the last 7. As such, she has been responsible for Pret’s sustainability strategy and direction setting across UK, US and Hong Kong. She is also Head of the Pret Foundation Trust, which supports homeless charities and provides employment to the homeless and ex-offenders via the Pret Foundation Apprenticeship Scheme. She has just moved to a new role as Head of Giving.
Pret’s attention to and promotion of sustainable business practice is there for all to see and Nicki has been largely responsible for that over the last seven years. She has just handed over the sustainability department to another in order to head up Pret’s extensive charitable activities. It could easily be argued that Pret has led the way in the QSR area when it comes to sustainable business practice and has acted as a template for others.
The Community Vote sponsored by Reynolds
The award was presented by Paul Collins of sponsor Reynolds to Café Muse at Manchester Museum.
The purpose of the Community Vote is a democratic process for constituents in the foodservice community to either vote for a customer, supplier or even in their own capacity as consumers for their pub or favourite eatery. The Winner is the business that achieves the most votes from the foodservice community.
Those Businesses Shortlisted were:
Café Muse at Manchester Museum
The Coffee Cube at the University of Central Lancashire
The Duke of Cambridge in Islington, London
The Globe in Chelmsford
The Green Man Inn
Woolton Hall in Fallowfield halls, University of Manchester
The Winner is Café Muse at Manchester Museum
