Bidfood adds eight suppliers to its SME accelerator scheme

Food and drink wholesaler Bidfood is adding a further wave of suppliers to its SME accelerator scheme, Open Doors.

Since launching the initiative in 2023, Bidfood has added 23 smaller food and beverage companies to the scheme, helping them to establish themselves within the industry and raising awareness of their products so they can make their mark in food wholesale.

The Open Doors programme also provides hospitality operators with first-hand access to up-and-coming brands.

The latest additions include:

• Icesupp – frozen supplements for the care and healthcare sector
• Wibble – natural ingredient jellies
• Wildthingz – lower-sugar, organic sweets
• Howies Cider – craft cider grown, pressed and bottled in the UK
• CBD One – CBD shots for drinks
• Kwerky – powdered plant milk made with oat and pea protein
• IBIS Rice – rice with a conservation-focused supply chain
• Northern Pasta – UK produced pasta from regeneratively farmed ingredients

Head of the Open Doors scheme Andrew Allen said: “This cohort reflects the progress Bidfood has made since launching this industry first two years ago. Featuring a mix of sector-specific and broad-appeal brands, it highlights the unique role foodservice, and Bidfood in particular, can play in driving supplier innovation.

“Although still in its infancy, to have 23 small food and beverage businesses involved is fantastic. Many suppliers still face some tough market challenges, so to be the voice for underrepresented founder groups with incredible brand stories makes a real difference.”

Tim Adams, sales and marketing director at Bidfood UK, added: “The Open Doors programme does exactly what it says on the tin – it opens doors and creates pathways for those smaller suppliers who would often not be afforded the opportunity.

“I’m excited to see the latest group incorporated into this industry-leading initiative and look forward to hearing the success stories that will emerge in the coming months.”

Bidfood revealed the first cohort of suppliers last year, which included Flawsome!, Oggs and TeaJoy.