Premier foodservice leads way toward healthier food alternatives
Premier Foodservice Program
The Premier Foodservice Program is the largest of its kind in healthcare and the most expansive of any offered by a healthcare group purchasing organization. It combines sole-source distribution through U.S. Foodservice, covering 100 percent of the United States. Premier leverages its $2.5 billion in member foodservice purchases to negotiate committed contracts with manufacturers and suppliers. It has more than 150 such agreements covering more than 60 product categories – in excess of 20,000 products. There is online order entry, a reporting system exclusively for Premier members and benchmarking for operations and clinical dietetics.
Premier’s Foodservice Operational Strategy experts help members by providing a comprehensive evaluation of current outsourcing agreements, assistance with self operation and guidance with retail foodservice opportunities.
Situation:
The food we eat can dramatically impact health. A poor diet can contribute to various health conditions. Related issues such as how food is harvested, packaged, shipped and disposed of can have profound consequences on the environment. While it is important to stay on top of these issues and make wise food purchasing decisions, most foodservice operators have to balance the bottom line with access to healthier items.
Solution:
The Premier Foodservice Program is the largest of its kind in healthcare and the most expansive of any offered by a healthcare group purchasing organization. On behalf of its members, Premier ensures contracted agreements and foodservice portfolios keep pace with current trends, including healthy alternatives such as organic and zero trans fat products. When such products are not available, Premier acts as an advocate for members, ensuring that healthier products are more readily available.
Result:
Premier established food distribution agreements that included pre-cut organic produce as well as sustainable products (i.e., farm-raised and thus a replenishable resource). Texas Health Resources used Premier agreements to move toward its goal of 90 percent trans fat free in all retail areas and is relying on Premier to advocate for more, and better tasting, products to become available.