Food2Care delivers much-needed care home support

FWD is connecting foodservice wholesalers with care homes struggling to get the supplies they need during the Covid-19 outbreak.

Food2Care has been set up by FWD in conjunction with the Cabinet Office, Foodservice Online and iWeb to help care home owners who are worried about getting the food they need due to limits on supermarket orders and the number of available delivery slots.

With many care homes relying on making regular trips to the supermarkets to stay stocked up, they’re increasing the risk of exposing their premises to the deadly coronavirus strain – and Food2Care aims to provide them with an alternative.

More than 70 national and regional distributors have already signed up to the scheme, with their services accessible through the website when users enter their postcode into the search bar.

“There’s no reason for care home owners to be buying their food and household items from supermarkets,” said FWD Chief Executive 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 health issues such as dysphagia. 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.

“So don’t go to the supermarket – let the foodservice professionals come to you.”

The Food2Care service uses a similar platform to the popular Local Food Drops website that was created two weeks ago in response to the crisis.

coronavirus covid-19 Foodservice Online FWD iWeb James Bielby Local Food Drops