Consultancy for dynamic food procurement and short supply chains

We support all members of the chain from farmer to chef. We realise efficiencies and open up new routes to market via AgileChain software.

What is ‘dynamic food procurement’?

Dynamic procurement enables more effective trade between procurers and primary food producers of all sizes and facilitates a richer data set to be considered when making buying decisions than conventional procurement. It enables flexible adjustments in response to real-time changes in the market, supplier capabilities, organizational needs, availability, and price fluctuations.

We pioneered dynamic food procurement with our proprietary AgileChain software that can either replace or plug into existing systems.

What are ‘short food supply chains’?

Short supply chains do not only bring local food. They enable food to pass through fewer intermediaries and bring transparency so that information and data flows unimpeded in both directions.

Short supply chains can bring resilience to withstand geo-political or environmental disruption affecting long chains. They enable more informed choices to be made by the procurer. When effectively implemented, they can also generate profitability for all members of the chain. Short supply chains can operate effectively alongside longer supply chains.

Emfood Consultants;

We work with each link in the food supply chain

  • SME’s in food include a huge range of business, all with unique routes to market, some direct and some indirect, we can work with them all, bringing a bespoke solution to the problems they face.

    Including but not limited to:

    Livestock farmer

    Egg producer

    Day boat fisherman

    Artisanal Cheese Producer

    Boutique Chocolate Maker

    Market gardener

    Vegetable Farmer

    Craft Brewery

    Gourmet Jam and Preserve Maker

    Small Baker

    Specialty Coffee Roaster

    Honey Beekeeper

    Farm-to-Table Restaurateur

    Microgreens Grower

    Free-Range Egg Farmer

    Natural Snack Food Manufacturer

  • Bigger businesses operating at multi site level with regional hubs

  • Logistics providers in the food industry are companies or organizations that specialise in managing and optimizing the transportation, distribution, and supply chain operations related to food products.

    Logistics providers in the food industry offer a range of services and solutions, including:

    1.Transportation Management: This involves planning and coordinating the movement of food products through various modes of transportation. It includes route optimization, carrier selection, and tracking of shipments.

    2. Warehousing and Distribution: These providers manage storage facilities where food products are stored before they are distributed to their final destinations. They ensure proper inventory management, order fulfillment, and timely distribution to minimize spoilage or waste.

    3. Cold Chain Management: For perishable and temperature-sensitive foods, logistics providers in the food industry specialize in maintaining the cold chain, which involves controlling and monitoring temperature conditions throughout the transportation and storage process.

    4. Supply Chain Visibility: Logistics providers offer real-time tracking and visibility solutions that allow stakeholders to monitor the movement and status of food shipments at various points in the supply chain. This helps improve transparency, traceability, and responsiveness.

    5. Risk Management: These providers help mitigate risks related to food safety, quality, and regulatory compliance during transportation and distribution. They may implement quality control measures, conduct audits, and ensure proper handling procedures.

  • A procurer in the food industry purchases significant quantities of raw materials, ingredients, or finished food products for their operations or distribution. These procurers often have substantial purchasing power and play a crucial role in the supply chain, as their buying decisions can impact pricing, availability, and sourcing strategies within the food industry.

    Procurers may include:

    1. Food Manufacturers: Companies that produce processed or packaged food products on a large scale. They procure ingredients, additives, packaging materials, and more to create their products.

    2. Public procurement: Buying for institutions like schools, hospitals, and corporate cafeterias that procure food for their meal services.

    3. Retail Chains: Supermarkets, grocery stores, and other retail chains that purchase food products from various suppliers for resale to consumers.

    4. Larger Restaurant Chains: Large restaurant chains or franchises that procure ingredients and supplies for their menus across multiple locations.

    5. Wholesalers and Distributors: Businesses that buy food products in bulk from manufacturers and then distribute them to retailers or other businesses.

    6. Catering Companies: Enterprises that provide catering services for events, conferences, weddings, etc., requiring significant amounts of food and beverages.

    7. Procurement Agencies: Enterprises that provide procurement services to caterers.

    8. Caterer Support Agencies: Enterprises that provide services to caterers to enable them to deliver more successful results - financially, nutrionally, or in terms of environmental, economic or social sustainability.

  • For our technology the end user is the chef or cook who orders ingredients of more processed foods to facilitate a menu. This could be anything from fine dining establishments to burger vans and street food through to corporate canteens and highstreet cafes. We consider anyone in this category who buys small amounts of foods or ingredients for regular delivery