As a leading food and drink wholesaler, we recognise the growing demand for products with sustainable features. Our commitment to responsible sourcing and environmentally conscious practices is reflected in our diverse product range – spanning fresh produce, meat, seafood, coffee, catering supplies, and more. By offering products with trusted sustainability accreditations, we aim to empower you to make informed choices that benefit both the planet and your business.
It’s worth noting that we use the term ‘sustainable features’ to align with the Advertising Standards Authority Green Claims Code. We deliberately avoid terms such as ‘eco-friendly’ or ‘sustainable’ in absolute terms.

Understanding key sustainability accreditations

Navigating sustainability certifications can be challenging, with various labels covering different aspects of food production. Here’s what they mean and why they matter.

Responsibly sourced seafood

Overfishing poses a significant threat to marine ecosystems by depleting fish populations faster than they can reproduce, disrupting food chains, and reducing biodiversity. Additionally, harmful fishing practices can result in high levels of bycatch, endangering non-target species such as turtles and dolphins. As fish stocks decline, ecosystems become less resilient, and the livelihoods of fishing communities suffer. To protect marine life and ensure long-term ocean health, implementing more sustainable fishing practices and stricter regulations is essential.
That’s why many of the fish from Pier 7, a brand exclusive to Bidfood, are Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certified, ensuring they come from responsibly managed fisheries that protect fish populations and reduce bycatch. In addition to wild-caught options, we also source high-quality farmed fish that meet the strict welfare standards of the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC), with GLOBAL G.A.P. certified products coming later this year.
These globally recognised schemes ensure responsible farming practices, from water quality management to ethical feed sourcing. By choosing MSC-certified seafood and responsibly farmed fish, you can serve premium-quality seafood while supporting the long-term health of our ecosystems and waterways.
To learn more about the importance of biodiversity, check out our previous blog: Biodiversity and food production – what’s the big deal?

Ethical hot drinks: Fairtrade and Rainforest Alliance

The hot drinks industry—including coffee, tea, and cocoa — faces increasing scrutiny over its environmental and social impact. Having products with trusted certifications means you can better ensure your offering is ethically sourced. Well-known certifications include:

• Fairtrade which guarantees a minimum price for raw ingredients, protecting farmers from market volatility and ensuring fair working conditions.
• Rainforest Alliance which promotes biodiversity, more sustainable land use, and environmental conservation while supporting fair wages for workers.

Through our brand, Black+White Coffee Co., and trusted names such as Clipper, Kenco, and Grumpy Mule, we offer Fairtrade and Rainforest Alliance-certified products, enabling you to offer high-quality beverages that meet consumer expectations for sustainability and ethical responsibility.

Palm oil: Protecting forests and wildlife

Deforestation linked to unsustainable palm oil production is a major environmental challenge, impacting biodiversity, carbon storage, and indigenous communities. That’s why we are committed to sourcing 100% certified sustainable palm oil for our own-brand products, meeting strict Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) standards.
RSPO certification ensures that palm oil is produced with minimal environmental impact, helping to protect biodiverse tropical rainforests and safeguard endangered species like orangutans. Choosing RSPO-certified products can enable you to align with responsible sourcing commitments and contribute to reducing deforestation in global supply chains.
You can find our palm oil policy here.

Organic food: High welfare, sustainably grown

Demand for organic food continues to rise as consumers seek products free from synthetic pesticides, GMOs, and unnecessary additives. According to Soil Association’s Organic Market Report 2025:

“the organic market grew 7.3% in 2024 ending the year at £3.7 billion – double what it was 10 years ago.”

We have a variety of products in our range that carry the Soil Association and Organic Food Federation certification ensuring compliance with rigorous sustainability and welfare standards.
One of the standout products in our core range is our organic milk, which meets some of the highest welfare standards in the industry, supporting ethical dairy farming. By offering organic-certified ingredients, you can cater to customers looking for natural, environmentally friendly, and responsibly sourced food options.

Red Tractor: A trusted mark of quality for British food

The Red Tractor certification is one of the UK’s most recognised marks of quality. By choosing Red Tractor-certified products, you can help support British farmers committed to high-quality, responsibly produced food.
Through our range of fresh meat and our supplier, Campbell Brothers, we offer a wide selection of Red Tractor-accredited meat products.

In addition, many of our Everyday Favourites cheeses, along with leading dairy brands such as Cravendale and Freshways, are Red Tractor-certified. Our range also includes Red Tractor-assured chips, crisps, and vegetables, ensuring that you can source high-quality, fully traceable ingredients across multiple categories.

Responsible catering supplies: Reducing waste

Sustainability in the food service industry extends beyond food products to packaging and supplies.

• Biodegradable – These products break down naturally over time, but the process can take years depending on the material and environmental conditions. Some biodegradable plastics, for example, may only degrade fully in industrial facilities and can still leave behind microplastics that persist in the environment.
• Compostable – Unlike biodegradable options, compostable packaging is designed to fully decompose into organic matter within a specific timeframe, typically under controlled conditions in industrial composting facilities. These materials help return nutrients to the soil without leaving harmful residues.
• Edible – Innovative, waste-free alternatives like Stroodles’ biscuit-based spoons, wheat bran plates, and rice-based straws provide a more sustainable and novel way to serve food. These options can eliminate packaging waste altogether by being entirely consumable.
• Recyclable – Packaging that can be processed into new materials plays a vital role in reducing landfill waste. However, not all recyclable products are created equal—some require specialist facilities, while others, like The Nourish Cup and CupKind, feature aqueous linings instead of plastic coatings, making them more easily recyclable through standard waste streams. Choosing these high-performance alternatives helps to support a circular economy without compromising on quality or functionality. Learn more in our previous blog: Can you recycle paper cups?

By selecting responsible packaging solutions, you can actively minimise your environmental footprint while meeting the growing consumer demand for more sustainable alternatives.
Our Catering Supplies range includes biodegradable, compostable, edible, and recyclable options designed to help you reduce waste and meet environmental goals.

Bidfood’s commitment to a greener future

Sustainability isn’t just a trend—it’s a core value that drives our business. We continually expand our range of products with sustainable features while working closely with suppliers who meet high sustainability standards.
By offering certified products with sustainable features across multiple categories, we can empower you to make ethical, environmentally friendlychoices that benefit your businesses, your consumers, and the planet.

Want to learn more about our range of products with sustainable features? Get in touch with your Account Manager today and discover how we can support your sustainability goals.
Alternatively, visit our sustainability page to learn more about our initiatives: Positive force for change.

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