FWD and Cabinet Office link to create online food platform for care homes

• Many care homes have expressed concerns about the lack of deliveries from supermarkets

• The 70 wholesalers on the platform already work with care professionals and “know the product and menu requirements”

The Federation of Wholesale Distributors has teamed up with the Cabinet Office to create a new online platform for care homes to source food supplies.

In recent weeks, many care homes have expressed concerns about the lack of deliveries from supermarkets and also the risk of staff introducing coronavirus into homes after making frequent trips to the supermarket.

The new food2care.co.uk site, which enables care homes to find wholesalers operating in their area, has been developed by Foodservice Online and iWeb. They are behind the localfooddrops.co.uk site, which launched earlier this month to connect foodservice wholesalers directly with consumers.

There are currently 70 wholesalers on the care home platform. These businesses already work with care professionals and have capacity in their delivery fleets as their hospitality customers, including restaurants, pubs and hotels, are currently closed.

“There’s no reason for care home owners to be buying their food and household items from supermarkets,” said FWD CEO James Bielby. “There has always been a better alternative, and under the current circumstances it’s more important than ever to have a reliable and experienced supply partner bringing food to your door.

“Foodservice wholesalers know the product and menu requirements care homes have, and they work every day with the manufacturers to meet the needs of residents with specific health issues. They can help design meals and menus, and they know what other similar businesses are buying. They have temperature-controlled delivery vehicles and online ordering platforms, or experienced telephone sales teams if you prefer.

“Catering packs are larger than supermarket ones and come with nutritional and allergen information. Distributors can provide advice and government guidance on food storage and preparation - everything care homes need to keep the fridges full and their residents and teams fed.”