Greencore has launched a new training programme to help its commercial teams deliver healthier and more sustainable food products across the UK.
As shoppers demand more from food brands — better nutrition, lower environmental impact, and transparent sourcing — UK food manufacturer Greencore is taking action. The company has introduced a structured sustainability training programme designed to give its commercial teams the knowledge and confidence to embed sustainability into everyday business decisions.
The training is part of Greencore’s wider commitment to building a Better Future through healthier food, smarter packaging, and lower carbon operations. And this time, the focus is not just on factories or suppliers — but on the people who work directly with retailers, shape product ranges, and drive innovation.
Three Days of Sustainability Training
The training programme took place over three days:
- Day 1 and 2: External experts delivered in-depth sessions to a group of 30 commercial team members.
- Day 3: Greencore’s own sustainability leads ran an internal session with 60 additional colleagues.
Together, the sessions aimed to build knowledge in key areas: sustainable sourcing, packaging formats, nutrition and health, and the company’s sustainability goals.
The training was designed to be practical. It included role-play scenarios, group discussions, and examples of how sustainability choices impact product design and commercial strategy.
Fran Haycock, Head of Sustainability at Greencore, said:
“We know that Greencore has a key role to play in supporting both human and planetary health. By equipping our commercial teams with tools to make more sustainable decisions, we’re building that mindset into our design and planning process. This training supports our Better Future Plan and our Healthy and Sustainable Diets commitments.”
Why It Matters
Food manufacturing is changing. Retailers are asking for products that meet new sustainability standards. Shoppers are reading labels. Governments are introducing new rules on emissions, plastic use, and nutrition.
But these changes don’t just affect factory floors — they impact every conversation between suppliers and supermarkets. From packaging costs to shelf positioning, sustainability is now a business conversation.
That’s why Greencore has invested in upskilling its commercial teams. By making sustainability a shared language across departments, the company aims to accelerate progress on its health, nutrition, and climate goals — while delivering better outcomes for retail partners and consumers.
Jim Couchman, Sales Director at Greencore, added:
“To deliver on our Healthy and Sustainable Diets commitments, our teams must feel confident and capable. This training gives them the right knowledge to speak with authority, design better solutions, and work more closely with our customers on shared sustainability goals.”
What the Training Covered
Topics included:
- Environmental and social challenges in the food system
- Lifecycle thinking and carbon footprints
- Nutrition and reformulation strategies
- Packaging materials and recycling
- Greencore’s Better Future Plan goals
- How to apply this knowledge in customer-facing roles
Participants also learned how to interpret sustainability claims, understand evolving retailer policies, and use data tools to support product development decisions.
This cross-functional approach ensures sustainability isn’t siloed — it becomes part of every commercial decision, from pricing to packaging and promotion.
Expert View: Why Training Commercial Teams Is Critical
Dr. Anna Walton, Director of Sustainable Supply Chains at the Food & Drink Federation, told GSN:
“Sustainability used to be a technical issue. Now, it’s a commercial one. Food companies that invest in training across departments are better equipped to respond to customer expectations and regulatory pressure. Greencore’s approach reflects that shift — making sustainability part of how products are developed, marketed, and delivered.”
Long-Term Impact
Greencore plans to build on this programme by rolling it out to more teams in the future.
Follow-up workshops will make sure the lessons stick, while new reporting tools will measure how well sustainability thinking filters into product design and how teams work with retail partners.
This training ties directly to Greencore’s bigger ambitions:
Reducing food waste throughout its supply chain
Improving the nutritional quality of its ready meals, sandwiches and salads
Using more recyclable and bio-based packaging
Staying on track to reach net zero emissions
Greencore’s latest Sustainability Report outlines progress on all these fronts and lays out fresh targets for 2025 and beyond. It also spotlights key partnerships with…
