Army search for more local produce providers in the South West

More local suppliers are being sought for recruitment to provide produce for use in feeding soldiers based in England’s South West region.

With one of its principal suppliers, Elior UK, the Army’s 43 (Wessex) Brigade recently hosted a food fayre at Leigh Court
Business Centre in Abbots Leigh, Bristol, to showcase the range of local produce already used by the military.

The Brigade, which has responsibility for the seven counties of the South West, also wanted to highlight how the military is now looking at an initiative to encourage more local suppliers to source and provide produce for the Army in the region.

‘We believe the South West has much to offer in terms of high quality food from a whole variety of suppliers and we are very keen to try and support these people in our region,’ said Brigadier Steve Hodder, Commander 43 (Wessex) Brigade.

During the food fayre, there were stands showing products from a range of Elior suppliers. Celebrity chef Anton Edelmann helped judge a cooking competition between two teams, each comprising an Elior chef and two Army chefs, making a three-course meal using fresh produce in an operational field kitchen.

Elior’s chief executive Michael Audis said the group was privileged to work with the Army because this enabled it to get into a whole new community with a different culture and style.

‘It gives us an opportunity to show our strengths and adaptability and allows us to help the Army integrate with the local community, through the supplier base and every aspect of life,’ he said.