Personalized support for local players in the inclusive economy
In march 2020, Sodexo has launched Impact+ in France, its innovative program for vendors in the inclusive economy. This program is strengthening its responsible procurement policy and increasing its prioritization of inclusive purchases. The Impact+ program is open to social integration organizations, cooperatives, ESAT (employment assistance services), Social and Fair Trade companies, and SMEs in all business sectors, accelerating targeted growth through a variety of management matters. For this first round, Impact+ is bringing together 14 companies committed to the inclusive economy.
The Group has many long-standing partnerships, including a 17-year partnership with Pain et Partage, a network of fair trade bakeries in Marseille, and a 7-year partnership with the ESAT La Ferme de Béthanie.
« The Impact+ Program is a great development opportunity for Les Alchimistes. This is a considerable lever for bringing together more and more citizens around the themes of composting and soil quality! As a player in the Social and Solidarity Economy established in 8 French regions, we are happy to be supported by Sodexo in promoting the values of inclusion, diversity and local anchoring which are dear to us. »
Alexandre Guilluy,
President and Cofounder of Alchimistes
Les Alchimistes is a Solidarity Company of Social Utility (ESUS) whose activity consists in the local collection and composting of urban biowaste. Les Alchimistes is a Solidarity Company of Social Utility (ESUS) whose activity consists in the local collection and composting of urban biowaste.
Supporting and developing our vendors and affiliates
Sodexo is committed to supporting and developing fair business practices around the world. Sodexo is a responsible buyer and partner, fully committed to working with its ecosystem of vendors. For six years, for example, the Group supported the development of Australian Indigenous Coffee (AIC), a family-owned business that has become the leading supplier of indigenous coffee in Western Australia. Sodexo has also supported the economy of Northeastern Thailand by purchasing rice directly from local rice growers at the fair price of 23 Bahts per kg, instead of the usual 5-10 Bahts.
La Passerelle (The Bridge), a new inclusive and social business model for cities
In line with its role as a local player and its commitment to regional development, Sodexo is using its knowledge of local and inclusive procurement, and its consumer understanding to help create a new business model that is both supportive and inclusive. La Passerelle, which groups activities around a vegetables processing plant and team-building, is designed to strengthen employability and health through nutrition and social cohesion in priority neighborhoods. Winner of the Quartiers Fertiles call for proposals led by the French National Urban Renovation Program (ANRU), the first location will open in Clichy-sous-Bois in early 2022, followed by a dozen more locations planned to open by 2025.