Our Responsibilities

Sustainability

Sustainability means doing things today in ways that ensure we can continue doing them tomorrow, and into the future. Although food manufacturers like us are actually the smallest contributors of greenhouse gases within the food chain – less than one-fifth of those produced by agriculture, for example – we’re still committed to making our business more sustainable year on year. We’re constantly examining our supply chain, production systems and transport to reduce waste and inefficiency, and minimise our carbon footprint. A major focus is cutting our power consumption - a significant factor in chilled food manufacturing – and working with customers to develop more sustainable packaging and other technologies.

Environment

As a food business, we’re constantly dealing with natural ingredients and materials. And like any large manufacturer, we’re also aware that our activities affect not just our immediate area and neighbours, but our partners, suppliers and customers further afield, too. Together, these factors have placed the environment at the heart of everything we do at Freshpak.

We’ve worked closely with industry and academic partners to develop our environmental benchmarking, measurement and monitoring processes. We’ve already made huge progress in recycling plastic and cardboard, and our food waste now goes to a local anaerobic digestion plant instead of landfill. We’ve also changed our procurement procedures to reduce waste, and use energy and water more efficiently.

Quality

As the country’s leading supplier of sandwich fillings and other chilled foods, we truly understand the importance of safeguarding consistency, quality and food safety at every stage.

At our chilled foods manufacturing facility, we’ve made huge investments in state-of-the-art equipment. Designed to meet the most stringent hygiene and efficiency standards, our site is accredited to BRC AA + standard: we’re also approved by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) and other industry, consumer and retailer-backed schemes. All our raw ingredients, which come only from selected, trusted suppliers, are rigorously tested before they enter our production processes. Our fully risk-assessed positive release systems ensure every Freshpak product meets or exceeds the toughest regulatory standards before dispatch to the customer, or transfer to storage.

After more than 30 years as a chilled foods manufacturer, we know that quality is really down to people. So, every member of our production team receives regular training to improve their skills, knowledge and awareness of quality issues. We regularly audit our suppliers to ensure they meet our exacting quality requirements. As active members of key industry working groups and forums including the British Sandwich Association (BSA) and Campden BRI, we’re not only aware of the latest legislative developments, but help to inform and shape policies affecting our customers, and the wider chilled foods sector.

Policies

Every aspect of our chilled food manufacturing operation is monitored through our Quality Management System. It’s rigorous, robust, externally verified and independently audited, providing clear checks and balances throughout the process. It also ensures we can meet changing customer needs and legislative requirements without compromising on quality, consistency or food safety.

Through our close links with our customers, suppliers and industry bodies, we’re in constant touch with the latest developments in everything from consumer shopping habits to Health & Safety. This awareness and monitoring ensures all Freshpak policies remain both highly effective and fully compliant with relevant legislation.

Sourcing

As anyone in the business will confirm, the key to good food is good ingredients, and we’re dedicated to using only the very best. That means working up to a standard, not down to a price. All our suppliers go through an extremely rigorous selection process, taking in all aspects of their production systems: those we choose to work with become an extension of our business, sharing our approach, attitudes and values as long-term partners.

Our ingredients come from a range of sources to overcome seasonal variations, ensuring we can always meet our production and delivery commitments to our customers. All our ingredients are prepared to our precise specifications, with our strict intake and post-delivery inspection procedures guaranteeing they enter production in perfect condition.

Training and Development

Freshpak has grown and developed over the last three decades because we’re always willing to learn something new, and try something different. That culture of learning, growth and development runs throughout our entire business, and makes us who we are. And it starts from the very beginning.

When they join us, every new member of our team, whatever their role, completes a two-and-half-day induction course covering Food Safety, Health & Safety and our own internal policies and procedures. They then complete a further 13 weeks’ initial training, developing new skills and knowledge under the expert guidance of our in-house training department. We also put all our staff through Food Safety and Health & Safety training from industry leaders Highfield Awarding Body for Compliance (HABC), for whom we’re an Approved Centre.

Since 2012, we’ve offered Advanced Level Apprenticeships in Food Manufacturing Excellence to both existing team members and external candidates through our highly successful partnership with CQM Training and West Notts College. In 2013, we were Highly Commended in the Investors in People (IiP) Apprenticeship Employer Newcomer of the Year award for the Yorkshire and Humber region.

Gender Pay Gap

Fresh-Pak Chilled Foods has at least 250 employees. Under the regulations we are required to report our gender pay gap data.

To view our gender pay gap report click on the link below.

Gender Pay Report

Modern Slavery Statement

Modern Slavery Statement

To view our Modern Slavery Statement for financial year 2021/22 click on the link below.

Modern Salvery Act

Covid-19 Secure

Covid-19 Secure

We confirm we have complied with the governments guidance on managing the risk of Covid-19

Our Accreditations

BRC Food Certified
The British Sandwich Association
Members of Campden BRI
RSPCA Assured Logo
MSC Certified Sustainable Seafood
British Lion Eggs
Armed Forces Bronze
Business Partner