IGD Introduces Guidance To Facilitate Food Business Sustainability

Bakkavor, Greencore, and Samworth Brothers are among six food manufacturers to develop with IGD a new Food Supply Chain Sustainability Framework to drive collaborative progress against seven shared priorities relevant to retailers, manufacturers, and their suppliers.

With food supply chain sustainability a “critical imperative”, the framework offers best practice and guidance to better integrate sustainability into businesses, according to IGD (Institute of Grocery Distribution).

The intention is to support the acceleration of progress from evidence to action by building on the findings of IGD’s pivotal roadmap ‘A Net Zero Transition Plan for the UK Food System’ which was launched one year ago with WRAP and EY. 

While the first supporting guidance is for manufacturers and their suppliers, IGD said the seven sustainability priorities within the framework are relevant to manufacturers, brands, and retailers.

The seven priority actions are: climate Net Zero, deforestation and conversion, water, nature restoration, packaging, food waste, and human rights. 

A First Step Towards Action

The Food Supply Chain Sustainability Framework has been developed by IGD in collaboration with six leading food manufacturers and industry stakeholders: Bakkavor, The Billington Group, The Compleat Food Group, Greencore, Premier Foods and Samworth Brothers. 

The group commented: “As a group of manufacturers working with IGD we see this Framework and guidance as a first step to supporting sustainability commitments as part of joint business planning, making it easier for procurement teams and both businesses in a commercial supply chain relationship. We hope next year to expand this to other sectors.” 

Kirsty Saddler, Director of Health & Sustainability Programmes at IGD, said greater cross industry collaboration and practical action is needed to create a sustainable, healthy and resilient UK food system.  

“The introduction of the Food Supply Chain Sustainability Framework is an important step in driving collaborative progress and while it has been developed with manufacturers, we believe this can support supplier and customer relationships across every part of the supply chain, to reduce emissions,” Saddler explained. 

“Together, we are building the pathways and the confidence needed to invest in a more meaningful, sustainable change for our industry and our communities.”

Reducing Complexity, Providing Clarity

The framework aims to help customers and suppliers work towards sustainability goals, informing self-appraisal, shared focus on priorities, and a clear view of how to progress along a maturity curve for seven sustainability priorities. 

IGD said it draws upon the FDF Ambition 2030 action pillars and extensive consultation with suppliers, NGOs, experts, procurement teams within the manufacturers, as well as a range of suppliers.

The aim is to enable businesses to better identify priorities, streamline supplier engagement, and more effectively integrate sustainability into procurement. 

This year IGD said it will continue to work with the Net Zero Council and WRAP in consultation with key trade organisations to develop an action framework for the food system to achieve Net Zero, which will be released in the new year. 

The food system plan will have a focus for the Council in early 2026, supported by The Broadway Initiative. 

The Net Zero Transition plan progress report from IGD will be followed in December by a related evidence-based report from WRAP which, using the most up to date GHG data, will give a latest view on emissions, identify gaps and make updated calls for action.

Download IGD’s new Food Supply Chain Sustainability Framework and Guidance here.

Download IGD’s A Net Zero Transition Plan Progress Report here.