Confex helps to co-ordinate redistribution of food

Confex is helping with the redistribution of food in the UK during the Coronavirus outbreak.

Managing director Tom Gittins said that foodservice wholesalers were holding stock that would potentially go out of date. They needed to sell this quickly to survive.

He added that retail wholesalers might be running out of stock, unable to purchase the quantities they need from suppliers.

He commented: “In an effort to bring wholesale together during this crisis, Confex has decided to open out its wholesaler marketplace to all wholesalers across the UK.

“There are no costs, no fees and no commission, with wholesalers able to buy, sell and hold wholesaler discussion in an online environment.”

Those who want to avail themselves of this service should go to www.confex.ltd.uk/marketplace.

Gittins added: “Wholesalers are experiencing diametric fortunes since the start of the outbreak. Those selling to retail are experiencing unprecedented demand due to panic buying and they cannot keep enough stock to satiate consumer demand. On the other side of the coin, foodservice wholesalers have lost up to 95% of their customers as cafés, pubs and restaurants close their doors during the shutdown.

“Confex members felt that they wanted to help save our industry.”

Tom Mathew, Confex board member and commercial director of Dunsters Farm, in Bury, said: “As a foodservice wholesaler, many of our vehicles are parked up right now while food retailers can’t keep up with the surge in demand.

“There is enough food in the supply chain for everyone if we can co-ordinate the redistribution. “We hope that the wholesaler marketplace can go some way to helping with this.’’

Dunsters Farm, founded in 1963, distributes food to schools, universities, hospitals, other wholesalers and delicatessens across the north of England.

Tel: Confex (01608) 652333