Foodservice supplier Bidfood has announced the opening of a new area within its e-commerce platform, Bidfood Direct, which will be dedicated to Scottish produce.
The new platform, which has gone live during Scottish Food & Drink Fortnight (2 – 16 September), will promote local visibility to chefs and caterers across Scotland.
The Scottish online platform is being delivered as part of a new funding partnership with industry organisation, Scotland Food & Drink, and aims to offer new and existing producers to Bidfood Scotland the opportunity to promote their products to its trade customers in the country.
In Scotland, Bidfood services over 5,000 customers with interests in a range of sectors, including pubs, restaurants and hotels; retail, travel and leisure; business and industry; hospitals and care homes; and schools and universities. Bidfood Scotland has a growing range of over 700 locally sourced products from more than 100 Scottish suppliers.
Bidfood’s online store will include Scottish products from all categories, including fish, meat, dairy, bakery, deli & store cupboard and alcohol & soft drinks. To expand the offering further, the partnership between Scotland Food & Drink and Bidfood Scotland will also include the delivery of a ‘meet the buyer’ event for new suppliers to pitch their products to secure listings in the coming months.
Stephanie Pritchard, Head of UK Market Development at Scotland Food & Drink, said: “Scotland is full of passionate suppliers, and buyers who are keen to maximise Scottish produce on their menus and plates. The launch of the Scotland Food & Drink platform on Bidfood Direct is an excellent step to supporting both suppliers and buyers to grow commercially.
“Sustainable growth is at the heart of our new industry strategy, and through the partnership with Bidfood Scotland, we can shorten supply chains, and support the local food and drink businesses who are vital to our economic success.”
Katie Sillars, Head of Digital Trading at Bidfood UK, added: “Over the last few years, we’ve worked behind the scenes to ensure we have the right Scottish suppliers and local products for our customers, at the right price stocked in our depots. Now, we’re daring to be different. Technology is at the forefront of our business, and we want to ensure all suppliers, small and large are visible to our customers.
“This is not another boring brochure! The launch of our digital Scottish platform gives our suppliers the opportunity to showcase their fantastic produce, giving our customers visibility of our local range and access to all the helpful tools on Bidfood Direct.”
