Our cooperation has continued almost since the establishment of both companies. From the beginning, the relationship has been both close and goal-oriented, and it is based on shared values – especially a sense of responsibility for people, animals and the environment,” says Ulla Kurkela, Director of Supply Chain, Systems and Compliance at Compass Group.

The partnership spans all levels of the organisations, including management, product development, logistics and animal welfare. “Our strategic partnership is reflected in our shared operating models and the measurable systematic development of our sustainability efforts,” Ulla says. “Atria is a reliable partner that operates transparently and keeps its promises. They are willing to discuss their goals and areas for improvement, which builds trust.”

A wide product range and sustainable choices across the supply chain

Atria’s extensive product portfolio, local sourcing and reliable deliveries are our key strengths in a partnership – especially when food is being produced daily for thousands of people.

“Atria's product family is ideally suited for a wide range of customers, from daycare centres to large organisations. Domestic sourcing, sustainably produced raw materials and reliable deliveries are critical cornerstones for us,” Ulla says.

Compass Group’s sustainability priorities are safety, human rights, reducing food waste, ensuring the sustainable sourcing of ingredients and minimising the environmental impact of food. “Our customers value transparency and product traceability. A high degree of domestic production and animal welfare are also important criteria for us,” Ulla emphasises.

For example, our joint product development with Atria supports these goals through tangible new solutions such as reducing our carbon footprint, optimising package sizes and improving animal welfare. Developing successful new products requires collaboration, extensive expertise, active participation and perseverance to transform an initial idea into a market-ready product.

Trust, transparency and common impact across Finland

According to Ulla, the cornerstone of Atria's cooperation with Compass Group is open communication. Challenges both big and small – such as inflation, climate issues and supply chain pressures – are addressed openly, with everyone working together to find solutions.

Sustainable food choices have a broad impact on the overall sustainability of Finnish society. Compass Group and Atria are part of a nationwide food service chain where every decision affects the achievement of climate and sustainability goals for both the private and public sectors. “Through our food services, we have a direct impact on the kinds of sustainable choices that are available to Finns. This makes a difference at the national level,” Ulla summarises.

In the future, the use of data and transparent information, a deeper understanding of consumers, and consideration of new sustainability criteria will guide the development of collaboration. “Our goal is to enable consumers to benefit even more from the data we collect and analyse. We’ll thus be able to continue to offer options that are aligned with their values and adapt to future needs,” Ulla says.