Q1 Who is Purple Foodservice? A Purple Foodservice Solutions Limited is the prime contractor for the Ministry of Defence Worldwide Food Supply Contract. The company was created specially to bid for and then operate the MoD contract. Purple Foodservice is a consortium consisting of three shareholding partners: •DBC Foodservice Limited •Supreme Foodservice Solutions A.G. •Vestey Foods UK Limited DBC provides the logistical requirements within the UK, with Supreme Foodservice operating overseas depot locations. Vestey Foods UK is a major supplier of meat and poultry products. Q2 Where do you deliver food to HM Armed Forces? A The contract requires deliveries to static defence establishments throughout the United Kingdom, including Northern Ireland,(except those participating in the PAYD programme), and HM Ships and Submarines at sea (delivered to dockside). Overseas delivery destinations include the South Atlantic, Germany, Afghanistan, Norway and Belize. Q3 When did the contract start and how long is it set to run? A The Contract was awarded on 23 June 2006 and extends to 30 September 2011,with provision for two 2-year extensions. The full contract requirements were taken up from the previous contractor on 1st October 2006. Q4 Why was PFS awarded the contract? A The PFS bid was the MoD’s preferred choice of three, after a thorough and meticulously scrutinised adjudication process conducted by the Defence Food Services Integrated Project Team, part of Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S). The successful bid addressed and was compliant with every element of this complex supply chain operation. Q5 What made the Purple bid better than the others? A The Purple Foodservice management team holds substantial experience in MoD food contract management, as well as unparalleled knowledge of the non-UK logistics involved. In presenting an innovative approach and an inbuilt commitment to taxpayer value, PFS offered the Ministry the best overall option and best value for money. Q6 What is the value of the contract? A The contract is worth in the region of £150 million in the first year.This figure includes costs relating to ‘exceptional’ activity, including active operational theatres and exercises. The annual value will steadily reduce as the MoD continues to roll out its Pay As You Dine (PAYD) programme, which will see more static defence establishments switching to catering services supplied by contract caterers. In order to meet the requirements of the Contract, 345 UK jobs have been generated. Q7 Will the troops be eating British food? A Food and other goods are purchased primarily against a priority directive to provide best value for money. There is a Food Selection Panel (FSP) held monthly, comprised of both military caterers and servicemen and women. The FSP confirms existing, or selects new products to be included in the core range of products. It is a fundamental MoD protocol that troops serving overseas be served cuisine as close as possible to that provided at home defence establishments in the UK. Overall 66% of British sourced food is supplied. Fresh food is sourced in UK, including fresh bread, fresh milk, cheddar cheese, eggs, and cooking oil as is fresh fruit, vegetables and potatoes. In some overseas areas fresh produce is procured locally dependent on local availability; for some locations fresh items have to be exported from the UK. Q8 Will the beef, lamb, pork and chicken be British? A British meat is included within the contract provision as and when it meets the purchasing requirements. Currently all pork and sausages and 60% of beef is of UK origin. Value for money is paramount, closely followed by other regular trading considerations such as availability, quality assurance and compliance. Q9 Sustainability is an increasingly important issue, does Purple have environmental policies? A In addition to our focus on best value, as indicated above we have a policy of offering our customer a number of alternative products and identifying any sustainability considerations in the selection process. Purple Foodservice Solutions itself has achieved Quality Assurance Environmental Management System BS EN ISO 14001: 2004 certification; its UK Partner DBC Foodservice has completed ISO 14001: 2004 certification for its Dundonald Depot and is in the process of completing the Petersfield Depot approvals.
