Sharwood’s links with Sodexho for takeaway meal service

Food and sauces specialist Sharwood’s is considering launching a takeaway meal service for employees of UK companies.

Sharwood’s – part of Centura Foods, which is owned by construction and food conglomerate Tomkins – is understood to have struck a deal with catering group Sodexho.

The “home meal replacement” service will see Sodexho staff preparing and storing meals on site for workers to take home with them. The concept is understood to be on trial at several companies in London.

Sharwood’s supplies ingredients to Sodexho and is expected to offer its whole range.

Sodexho, which recently changed its name from Gardner Merchant, claims to be the biggest catering contractor in the UK, with 5,000 contracts.

Sodexho spokesman Alec Peck says: “Home meal replacement is for employees who don’t want to, or can’t, stop for food on the way home.

“Meals will be prepared by in-house catering staff and stored for workers to take home.”

Laurie Salt, PR manager at the Ranks Hovis MacDougall Food Service, which owns Centura, says: “We will assess the results of the trial before making any decision to extend it.”