New to the area following the launch of their Bardon facility, total supply chain solutions specialist Oakland International has forged close links with local charities the Coalville Foodbank and MRC Community Action.

Oakland International’s Head of Consumer Development Mark Williams commented: “Our policy at Bardon was always to replicate what we do at our other facilities, whereby we focus on giving something back to the communities in which we operate, creating links with schools, community groups and foodbanks.

“We’re delighted to have linked with, and to be supporting, Coalville Foodbank and MRC Community Action, both fantastic charities, by donating fruit and vegetables and surplus food produce.”

The Coalville Foodbank is part of a nationwide foodbank network which provides nutritionally balanced emergency food and support to local people in crisis, whilst established Coalville non-profit community charity, MRC Community Action, supports people in and around North West Leicestershire with accessible community facilities, services and positive social participation.

Up to now Oakland International has organised the regular monthly donation of 12 pallets of fruit and vegetables, with plans to expand and create long-term relationships with organisations throughout the local community to ensure good food does not go to waste.

Added Mark: “Our plan is to progress and increase our community involvement in the area, engaging with local schools and hopefully, once Covid restrictions are removed, introducing The Oakland Programme, a structured course covering career advice to help raise students’ employment aspirations and provide young people with valuable workplace experiences.”

Since launching Bardon the company has recruited a number of key personnel, with further recruitment planned to fill the 350 plus vacancies by the end March 2021, bringing much needed new employment opportunities to the local area, at a time when many workplaces are closing or cutting back due to the Covid outbreak.

A 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, Ireland and via their partner in Spain, Oakland International is BRC AA accredited, a double Queen’s Award for Enterprise recipient for International Trade and Sustainable Development and currently working towards becoming the first carbon-neutral business within their sector.