FEATURE
Optimised – Food Network Corporation head of production services Darren Proctor says the Tees Valley Net Zero programme helped them reduce their carbon emissions while also managing costs.
WORDS: DAVE ROBSON PICTURE: TOM BANKS
Chilled meals firm helped by Tees Valley Net Zero
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leading chilled and frozen meals supplier says advice and support from a net zero scheme is proving a game-changer for the business.
From a unit in Riverside Park, Middlesbrough, Food Network Corporation creates handcrafted meals for hospitals, schools, care homes and more.
But while food excellence is its passion, its journey to reducing carbon emissions is a key part of its plans.
And thanks to a government-funded scheme run by Tees Valley Combined Authority, it’ s receiving help to cut its carbon footprint.
Tees Valley Net Zero is funded by the UK Government’ s Shared Prosperity Fund to help businesses identify and act on their carbon footprint commitments.
Through a range of fully-funded measures tailored to individual businesses, including one-to-one consultations and online resources, it identifies personalised programmes of support to help firms achieve their sustainability goals.
Carbon emissions tools, suggested changes in the workplace, a decarbonisation plan, webinars and meetings, and advice about access to finance are all part of the Tees Valley Net Zero service.
And for Food Network Corporation, the support served up by the scheme has meant food for thought for its 24 staff – and some tasty savings.
Head of production services Darren Proctor said:“ We take the impact we have on carbon emissions and climate change really seriously, but then we also want to manage our costs and our outgoings. So, if we can be more energy efficient, it helps save money and helps the planet too.
“ One example we’ ve already identified is that if we adjust the infrastructure in our largest chiller room, we could potentially
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
save around 8,000 kilowatt hours a year – saving us around £ 2,000.
“ We aim to be net zero by 2040 and by using things like Tees Valley Net Zero to support us with our carbon reduction plan, we’ re making a great start.”
In just three months, the company has already rewritten its carbon reduction plan. Energy loggers were also placed on ovens and fridges to monitor their energy use. And by using an online tool called BringAbout from Decerna – the company delivering Net Zero to Food Network Corporation on behalf of the combined authority – big changes are already happening.
Darren explained:“ In the past, we’ ve maybe used a generic template for putting together a carbon reduction plan, but we saw this as a good opportunity to invest more time and energy and have a proper structure.
“ We’ ve done everything from monitoring energy use of things like our ovens and refrigerators to analysing our building infrastructure and increasing staff engagement and awareness.”
And with grants of up to £ 2,000 available through the scheme, there’ s potential cash available for any measures identified.
The Tees Valley Net Zero programme is fully funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund( UKSPF). Exclusively for businesses based in Tees Valley( Darlington, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar & Cleveland and Stockton-on- Tees). Delivered by Decerna on behalf of the Tees Valley Mayor and Combined Authority, and the Tees Valley Business Board.
Decerna’ s head of group for energy efficiency Phil Norval said:“ You can’ t manage what you don’ t measure when it comes to energy, so you need a hierarchy of what’ s worth tackling and what’ s going to bring the biggest benefit for the quickest return on investment.
“ We try to help by pointing them in the right direction so they know what to do next and the most important things to tackle first.”
With Food Network Corporation, that’ s likely to mean such measures as new ambient coolers, which will reduce energy use and cut refrigeration costs, and better insulation in the building’ s fabric.
Since funding began in November 2023, around 900 businesses have been supported by Tees Valley Net Zero to varying degrees, depending on their circumstances and requirements.
And Darren says that in Food Network’ s case, the advice received so far will help equip a firm that started 32 years ago for a sustainable, net zero future.
He said:“ We’ re really pleased with what’ s been recommended so far.
“ We’ ve been able to get the expertise in at no cost and it’ s got everyone really thinking about how we can make a difference.”
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