Supplier Membership brings you closer to the businesses and people shaping the food to go industry, while supporting the Association's work to represent and strengthen the sector.
Who is Supplier Membership for?
Supplier Membership is for businesses supplying the products and services used directly by the food to go industry.
This includes ingredient and food suppliers, packaging businesses, equipment manufacturers, technology providers and other companies whose products or services support the manufacture, distribution or sale of food to go.
What does Supplier Membership include?
Advice and guidance
Members have access to the Association's helpline services, guidelines and practical advice, including technical and legal guidance together with HR and employment support.
Primary Authority advice
Members are covered by the Association's Primary Authority Agreement. By following the Association's Assured Advice, members have an additional level of protection if challenged by Environmental Health Officers on matters covered by that advice.
Members can also use the Association's Primary Authority and Government links to seek clarification on specific issues, including labelling.
The Food to Go Guide
Members have access to the Food to Go Guide, bringing together practical guidance across areas including food safety, fire safety and employment law. It also includes Assured Advice covered by the Association's Primary Authority Agreement.
Training
Members can access discounted online training provided in partnership with specialist training providers.
Industry information
Regular member bulletins help keep you and your colleagues informed about legislation, industry developments and other issues that could affect your business.
Colleagues within member businesses can also be registered to receive these updates.
Meetings, networking and working groups
Members have opportunities throughout the year to meet, share information and discuss issues of common interest through meetings and webinars.
The Association also establishes working groups where appropriate, bringing suppliers together with manufacturers, retailers and other industry specialists to address shared challenges and develop practical solutions.
Raise your profile across the industry
Supplier Membership provides opportunities to put your business in front of customers and potential customers across the food to go sector.
Members receive a certificate of membership and are included in the Association's recommended supplier listings, both online and through its industry media. New members can also be introduced to the wider industry through editorial coverage.
The Association also receives enquiries from businesses looking for suppliers and can direct relevant enquiries towards its members.
Connect with your customers
Membership is about more than promoting your business. It provides opportunities to build relationships with manufacturers, retailers, operators and other suppliers across the sector.
Meetings, webinars, working groups and industry events give members opportunities to exchange knowledge, understand the challenges their customers face and contribute to discussions about the future of the industry.
A voice for the industry
The Association engages with Government and other organisations on issues affecting businesses throughout the food to go supply chain.
Areas of work have included labour, packaging and environmental issues, nutrition policy and food safety. Where an issue affects the sector specifically, the Association can represent the collective interests of its members and make sure the industry's perspective is heard.
Members can also receive advice and support when dealing with negative media coverage, with the Association able to act as an industry spokesperson where appropriate.
Promoting excellence
Membership connects suppliers with wider Association activity designed to support and promote the food to go industry.
This includes the annual Sandwich Industry Awards – the Sammies, which recognise achievement and good practice across the industry and provide an important opportunity to meet businesses from throughout the sector. Members receive discounted places at the awards dinner.
Members can also receive copies of Sandwich & Food to Go News and Café Life, with additional colleagues able to register to receive the magazines.
Recommended supplier listings
Supplier Members are included in the Association's recommended supplier listings and receive listings through its industry media and online directory.
These listings help manufacturers, retailers and operators find businesses supplying ingredients, packaging, equipment, technology and other products and services to the food to go sector.
Interested in Supplier Membership?
If you'd like to discuss Supplier Membership or find out whether it's the right membership for your business, contact:
Andy Williams
Membership Accounts Manager
Telephone: 01291 636341
Email:
