Bord Bia is teaming up with Sodexo, the world’s largest services company to work on responsible sourcing in the foodservice sector.
Sodexo, which has operations in 80 countries, including Ireland, will host Bord Bia’s first Origin Green Ambassador to be based in the French market in January 2017. The Ambassador will focus on implementing sustainability initiatives as part of the Sodexo's commitment to responsible sourcing and inform the development of Bord Bia's Origin Green programme.
Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine, Andrew Doyle TD and Bord Bia's Director of Markets Padraig Brennan met with Neil Barrett, Senior Vice President, Corporate Responsibility at Sodexo to make arrangements for the new placement during the recent Foodservice Market Insights Seminar organised by Bord Bia in Paris. Bord Bia had brought together Irish food and drink exporters and leading French foodservice experts to explore new opportunities in a market where eating out is a way of life for many. France is also one of the largest “out of home” food consumption markets in Europe, valued at over €80bn.
Origin Green Ambassadors
The objectives of the Origin Green Ambassador Programme are to grow awareness and understanding of Origin Green among leading international food and drink companies, assist them in pre-agreed sustainability projects and develop a cohort of sustainability talent for the Irish food and drink sector.
This is a two- year programme involving academic development of sustainability understanding, international best practices, application in the food industry and comprehensive appreciation of the Irish food and drink industry; this is followed by three industry placements. The programme is financially supported by the philanthropic contributions of eight leading Irish food and drink companies.
Neil Barrett, SVP Sodexo (right) with Minister of State Andrew Doyle and Padraig Brennan, Bord Bia Director of Markets announce new sustainability initiative in Paris.