BUYERS LOOKING AT green credentials when selecting a venue for meetings or events will be disappointed to learn that 65 per cent of hotels and function centres are not using sustainable food produce, according to Conference Care's Venue Sustainability survey.
Research among more than 700 venues, including group and independent properties across the UK, reveals that only 22 per cent are sourcing more than half their food locally. This is despite the fact that almost three quarters of venues now have a corporate social responsibility (CSR) policy in place. The survey, launched in April, suggests that despite encouragement to buy locally, many hoteliers and venues are ignoring the advice.
On a positive note, however, just under half of participating hotels and venues do purchase organic produce and 77 per cent use at least some Fair Trade products. Says Chris Peacock, Conference Care's director: "The corporate market is increasingly purchasing their meeting and event venues based on CSR and sustainability as well as purely price."