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‘Eat Lunch'
and Respect the Environment
“Food that doesn’t cost the earth” - these words could have been written for, or indeed by, Ian White, Managing Director of Kingfisher Caterers. Ian spends his working day and much of his spare time trying to ensure that his strongly-held beliefs on community responsibility and environmental impact are translated through to his business activities. Nowhere is this more evident and indeed successful, than in his ‘Eat Lunch’ service for business clients.
At the same time, as Managing Director of Kingfisher Caterers he has to balance this ethos against the needs and desires of his customers and of course his bottom line profit.
“Lots of people are beginning to realise how they can have a bearing on the environment, but I am convinced that business must also take its share of the responsibility for the impact it has on its surroundings. The ‘think global and act local philosophy’ is a sound one - it is simply not acceptable to be happy today if we are impoverishing future generations through climate change.”
Kingfisher has transferred this conviction into its day-to-day working practices - and has seen the benefits of this approach particularly when dealing with its corporate clients for its ‘Eat Lunch’ service. Its order book has continued to grow as local businesses appreciate not only the stance that Ian has taken, but also the quality and service that ensues from his adoption of these principles. Ian continued, “It does make good sense to make a good impression and eat well especially when you are dealing with important business colleagues”.
For example, they have spent the last twelve months and thousands of pounds developing new, recyclable packaging. Two years ago much of the industry was packing its food in foil trays with cling film over them. Even then, Kingfisher took a lead and was delivering its orders in black plastic trays with clear lids. Now the newly designed boxes are sourced from recyclable cardboard: the gold trays and all the clear pots for yoghurts and dips are made from PLA - a biodegradable material manufactured from corn starch. Everything is protected by a clear bag, again made from PLA. The plastic cutlery has been replaced with bamboo - though you would not guess to look at them. “Of course there is a financial impact, especially on a small business, but we wanted to re-package our products to ensure that the looked good, distributed well, were fresh and gave the best information to our customers”. They have had tremendous feedback and increases in sales from customers who have appreciated the look and the reasons for the new containers.
Food provenance and sustainability are other areas Kingfisher takes very seriously and sees as key to its future. “Where ever it is possible we seek out produce from local suppliers and look for farm assured, sustainable and traceable sources of fare. We work closely with a local company, Food Smiles, who supply much of our fruit and vegetables. We need trustworthy suppliers who share our ideals. We can then communicate to our customers that they can have confidence in our cuisine. We use as much seasonal food as possible which helps to ensure maximum freshness and significantly reduces the mileage food has to travel to reach the plate”.
More and more clients are requesting organic food and feel that the price premium is outweighed by being able to choose the meals they prefer. Of course all consumers have to balance the cost of whatever they buy against the quality and the benefits. “For example we would love to use free range chicken for all our products but we have to understand that this would make the price prohibitive for some customers.”
“It can be difficult for consumers to differentiate, and indeed justify spending a small premium for better products. We need to communicate this message to our customers and the market is beginning to listen.”
“We have always prided ourselves on a flexible approach to our clients’ needs and requests and offer them a choice. This spans all aspects of our business, whether it is weddings, corporate catering or private dining. Our motto has always been, and will continue to be, ‘your event - your way’.”
The recent Panorama Programme highlighting the environmental damage posed by the plastic bottles containing mineral water has kindled yet another initiative. By the end of the year Kingfisher will be supplying its mineral water in glass bottles which can be re-filled by customers from their own taps. Ian said, “Although there is more impact on the environment to make the glass bottles initially, because they can be refilled, we can reduce the overall cost to the planet.” Kingfisher is also able to brand the glass bottles with their own logo - another good example of combining sound environmental action with good business practice.
Ian has always had an entrepreneurial flair and believes that the secret of good business is trying to know what the market wants before it knows.
This would certainly be borne out by plethora of ‘green’ books that are available advising on everything from Green Weddings to Green Dining. Customers are increasingly seeking out those companies who have green credentials and there may even be an advantage in such companies developing a green logo for clients to recognise and believe in. It is becoming an important selling point.
“I don’t believe being an ethical company is just about non-bleached napkins - it should percolate throughout the company. It is also about how we treat our employees and their families, how we serve our customers and how we engage with the local community. For example we support local charities including Grove House and participate in other charitable initiatives.”
We have already seen legislation being brought in for other sectors with the WEEE directive (waste from electrical and electronic equipment) coming into forces in July this year. This places the onus on electrical manufacturers to recycle items returned to them - although consumers are not duty-bound to return items. Surely legislation for other industries cannot be far behind. Those companies who are ahead of the game will be the winners.
Kingfisher is not suggesting that we will go as far as some restaurants in Australia - who are turning off lights for an hour and asking customers to dine by beeswax candles and feast on raw tuna. There has to be a balance. “There is no doubt that the hospitality industry is a large user of gas, electricity and water. It also creates huge amounts of food waste that ends up as landfill which rots and emits methane. Anything we can do to lessen this impact has got to be advantageous.”
Twenty years ago - environmental concerns were considered hum-drum and even boring. Today many would argue that the helping to protect our planet may well go a long way to avert the next crisis we face as a global community and can deliver real social and economic benefits.
The commitment to the environment is continued throughout the company’s working practices. They have been working with a local waste recycling company, F. R. Cawley, and always recycle cardboard, office paper, food waste and glass bottles. There is also a longer term strategy to look at all aspects of our business right down to choosing next generation vans for deliveries of its ‘Eat Lunch’ services in the future.
Ian concluded: “I am convinced that our approach will deliver real benefits not only to the environment also but to all those we live and work with on a daily basis. It is gratifying to see that others share our convictions and it is reflected in our growing order book. I am sure this approach will continue to serve us well and that the drive to embrace environmentally sound products will be a growing trend.”
Kingfisher will be highlighting its viewpoint in a series of “Think Global - Act Local” food and cookery demonstrations throughout April and May in its Welwyn Garden City headquarters kitchen.
To win a place on one of the EatLunch Cookery Demonstrations, email ian@kingfishercaters.co.uk stating in one sentence why your business would like to learn more about the benefits of Kingfisher’s environmentally friendly approach.
Call: 01707 331751 • Kingfisher Caterers Ltd.
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