As a way of offering practical help, and with the cost-of-living crisis affecting everyone in the UK, family business and total supply chain solutions provider Oakland International has launched a subsidised employee Food Box scheme.

Oakland International Chief Operating Officer Lee Whiting explained: “Even with the Living Wage increases the cost of living is still going up so as a business we’ve been investigating practical ways to offer help and support to our whole team, and so far, have launched over a dozen initiatives.

“It’s our business to know how to buy and pack food cost effectively, so together with our wonderful supplier partnerships, such as Morrisons, Mission Foods and Smurfit Kappa, we’ve been able to introduce our Food Box scheme which has a retail value of around £20 which has now been delivered to every member of Oakland’s UK Group of businesses free of charge. After the initial 2-months the Food Boxes will be offered on a heavily subsidised subscription basis of £5 per box and will include basic essential ambient items and produce worth over £20.”

Since introduction employee feedback has been extremely positive with comments and Food Box contents reflecting and changing monthly and will do so for the rest of the year so that they contain products their people need.

Added Lee: “Launched to support our fantastic team members we’re now receiving requests from other businesses who want to offer their people and communities support. On the basis that there is not a lot of support out there we all need to look after each other, and businesses there is so much more that can be done to support employees rather than just looking at what can be afforded in wages.”

Oakland International has a long history of community support and sustainable practices and has already taken the first step towards becoming B Corp certified and is working to become the first business within their sector to achieve net-zero. 24-hours/7 days a week operation, Oakland International is a retail, food service and direct to consumer specialist in contract packing, storage, picking, food distribution and a brand development support provider for ambient, chilled, and frozen food to the retail, convenience, discount, wholesale and food service markets in the UK and Ireland.

Lee Added: “We’re happy to help anyone needing advice on how they can launch a food box scheme or needs packing support, simply get in touch.”