Our approach to responsible sourcing focuses on three priorities:

Improving health, nutrition, and well-being by selecting the healthiest ingredients

Four essential criteria determine our approach to food procurement: safety, quality, proximity, and sustainability. Our ingredients are selected according to strict nutritional requirements and are subject to a rigorous and objective testing process. Our partners are required to follow our supplier specifications, and they receive support and assistance through a quality monitoring plan that includes regular audits. Just as our customers do at home, we buy and serve fresh food directly from local producers as well as food from large companies in the food industry.

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Fostering economic, social, and environmental progress through an inclusive supply chain

Sodexo chef preparing a saladThrough a more inclusive supply chain, we are able to further our mission to develop the local communities in which we operate and deepen our commitment to diversity and inclusion.  Smaller, more agile suppliers also give us access to new ideas and are closer to market trends.

Our Supply Chain Inclusion Program was launched in North America in 2001. Its goal is to include and promote more small business in our ecosystem of suppliers.

This program is now active worldwide and promotes the inclusion of suppliers that fall into the following three categories:

Building a low carbon emissions supply chain to protect natural ecosystems

Emissions are generated at every step across our supply chain, from production to delivery, representing 50% of the company’s global carbon footprint. In addition to promoting low carbon emissions products, We choose suppliers that share our commitment to reduce emissions and involve them in our efforts as much as possible.
We have strict rules about monitoring where our products come from and we regularly evaluate our suppliers’ efforts.

Responsible Sourcing contributes to the following United Nations Sustainable Development Goals:

Responsible Sourcing UN Goals - see below for accessible version

Download the accessible version

Local Initiatives

Australian Indigenous Coffee (AIC)

In the space of six years, we have helped Australian Indigenous Coffee (AIC), an aboriginal family business and our partner since 2015, to become the top aboriginal coffee supplier in Western Australia. Partnerships and investment in aboriginal companies in the Torres Strait are part of our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) to support economic inclusion and supplier diversity in Australia.

Fairly-traded rice in Thailand

Rice farmers in Northeast Thailand produce rice of superior quality without using chemicals but the rice generally sells for a very low price. We are working with a local non-profit project to ensure that farmers receive fair payment for their products. We support the local economy by purchasing high quality rice directly at a rate of 23 baht per kg instead of 5–10 baht.

In France, we source mainly local, seasonal products

In France, 60% of our products are purchased directly from producers. We are able to ensure product traceability for 100% of our items, and we know every step of their production, processing, and delivery to our suppliers. We build solid partnerships with local producers, and work with around 600 suppliers and 23,000 French producers.

*(includes suppliers and merchants)

Fiscal 2021 Corporate Responsibility Report

Find out how we are having a positive impact on Individuals, Communities and the Environment in the way we do business.

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