Cooper outlined his ambitious plan as one of many that he would undertake as part of a five-year strategy to secure the organisation’s future.
Although Freedom Food relied on the RSPCA for only a small amount of financial support, the organisation could plan for its future more effectively if it knew how much money it would receive every year, he claimed.
“We need to stand on our own two feet and secure our own funding. We’re still going to be part of the RSPCA and a not-for-profit charity, but being financially self-sufficient would allow us to be more autonomous,” said Cooper.
“It’s not a significant amount of money given to us by the RSPCA either, but we need to start finding it ourselves [because the amount changes every year].”
Part of Cooper’s plan to secure more money for Freedom Food would see the organisation target the foodservice sector, which it saw as a relatively untapped market, he added.
Last year McDonald’s announced it would source 100% Freedom Food pork, which was a landmark deal for Freedom Food. This year, Cooper has secured a deal with the foodservice firm Sodexo, which will now source 100% Freedom Food pork, eggs, sausages and bacon for every private school it supplies.
Cooper’s ambition for Freedom Food to be 100% self-funded was revealed in his first interview as the organisation’s chief executive. See the November issue of Food Manufacture for a Big Interview with Cooper.