'Top Marks' for Brakes' Green Train

Rebecca Hubbard
Posted: Friday, July 16, 2010 10:26 am

'Top Marks' for Brakes' Green Train | Brakes, Brakes Group, supply, foodservice, fresh produce, environmental, quality,
Brakes Group, supplier to the foodservice sector, has won ‘The Innovation Zone Most Added Value to the School Meals Sector’ award for its ‘Green Train’ at this year’s LACA (Local Authority Caterers Association) Conference (8-10 July, Hilton Birmingham Metropole). 


Launched in 2009 Brakes Group ‘Green Train’ is a pioneering scheme run in partnership with the company’s fresh produce suppliers in mainland Spain. It is the first initiative by a foodservice company to see fresh produce imported using rail instead of road transport.

The Green Train service transports Brakes Group products from Valencia via the Channel Tunnel to the company’s national distribution centre in Corby. By taking lorries off the road this saves more than 2,200 food miles for every round trip. 

The service has also reduced total journey time by half a day - meaning that customers receive fresher produce. Product temperature is remotely monitored en-route by GPS and automatically adjusted to ensure perfect product freshness.

Sean Negus Brakes Group product supply director comments: “Brakes Group is committed to minimising our impact on the environment across every area of our business. We also want to supply our customers with the best quality products.

“This switch was a first for the foodservice sector and cements Brakes Group’s position as the environmental and quality sector leader in Primary Supply Logistics.

He adds: “Following our successful launch we are now working with our logistics partner Stobart Rail to expand the operation from the start of Spain’s 2010 season. We are also investigating UK and Europe-wide opportunities to expand our use of rail for movement of stock into our depot network.”

Held at LACA’s Conference and Exhibition 2010, the ‘Innovation Zone’ awards are designed to showcase new products, services or equipment which support the challenges facing school catering. The two awards comprise the ‘Product with the Most Added Value to the School Meals Sector’ and ‘Best Display’.