Woods Foodservice: a mission to be carbon negative by 2026

Woods Foodservice has been established for over 40 years as the primary choice for dry, chilled, frozen, and fresh produce, delivering to top establishments in the thriving food cities of London, Manchester, Bristol and Brighton. As a certified a carbon neutral company for the third consecutive year and industry advocates for sustainability, the company is on a mission to become carbon negative by 2026.

The hospitality industry is one of the largest contributors to carbon emissions globally. “There’s still a lot of work to be done but by promoting practises such as reducing energy consumption to sourcing sustainable ingredients and minimizing food waste, we can demonstrate our commitment to sustainability and inspire others to follow in our footsteps,” says Woods deputy managing director Lana Bhikha. 

Woods has already introduced a vast number of eco-friendly practises, such as using energy generated by on site solar panels to help aid the running of its distribution centre, using electrical and biofuel delivery vans to help reduce carbon emissions, and donating any excess or short dated stock to local food banks, to help those of need in the community.

“We work with Climate Impact Partners who provide guidance on climate strategies, this year we are part of a project that provides rural cleaning cooking in India, as well as water filtration and improved cookstoves in Guatemala, being part of this project helps us to offset any carbon emissions," Bhikha continues. 

More recently, the group acquired an additional 11,315 sq.ft warehouse to house its entire fresh produce category. With sustainability and quality at the forefront, Woods installed energy-efficient evaporative coolers to optimise air moisture and temperature. This allowed the rooms to cool using much less energy and create a softer air and controls humidity, keeping the temperature of the produce consistent and fresh.

Woods's commitment to sustainability is an example of the positive impact businesses can have on the environment when they take action to reduce carbon footprints. By implementing sustainable practices and investing in carbon offsetting initiatives, companies in the hospitality industry can lead the way towards a more sustainable future.

Learn more about Woods green practises here.​​