Harlech Foodservice has secured a significant five-year contract valued at £1 million with Shire Services, the catering division of Shropshire County Council. This contract will see the wholesaler providing a diverse array of drinks and vending products to primary and secondary schools situated across an extensive area spanning the West Midlands and Wales.

The announcement underscores Harlech Foodservice's commitment to fostering local partnerships and promoting nutritional standards within school environments. David Roberts, the regional account manager for Harlech, emphasised the importance of maintaining high quality and nutritional value in the food and drink supplied to schools. “As a firm with a strong local connection to Shropshire it’s very important to us that the quality and nutritional value of the food and drink in schools is as high as possible and that only the best is used,” he noted.

The wholesaler has pledged to engage with suppliers that are local to Shropshire, including notable partnerships with Wenlock Spring, thus reducing food miles and enhancing community benefits stemming from the contract. Roberts stated, “We aim to use suppliers local to the client wherever possible as that cuts food miles and ensures that the benefits of the contract are shared with the local community.”

This contract further solidifies the presence of Harlech Foodservice in the education sector and highlights a growing trend amongst grocery wholesalers to align business practices with local sourcing and community engagement strategies.