Vancouver, Canada, May 1st, 2023 – UpMeals, a leading Canadian food technology startup, is proud to announce a strategic partnership with Sodexo Canada, a leader in the food services and facilities management industry. This collaboration will empower Sodexo to leverage UpMeals’ innovative technology to enhance the accessibility of healthy, nutritious meals across various sectors, including universities, corporate settings, and hospitals.
UpMeals is known for its innovative SmartVending machines that offer fresh food options to consumers 24/7, helping to bridge gaps in the availability of nutritious meals, particularly during off-hours. Customers can choose from a wide range of items, such as wraps, salads, entrees, and juices, through a user-friendly 49″ touchscreen interface. UpMeals SmartVending machines have been deployed in high-traffic locations like Vancouver International Airport, the University of British Columbia (UBC), Simon Fraser University (SFU), and other notable sites in British Columbia.
The company also employs proprietary AI-driven technology to create customized healthy meal plans for organizations, offered through their automated modern catering platform and wholesale and retail partnerships. By automating processes like research and development, CFIA compliance, and production workflows, UpMeals can provide an extensive array of meal options catering to diverse dietary preferences and customer needs. All meals are produced in UpMeals’ HACCP-compliant production facility in Vancouver, ensuring the highest quality and safety standards.
Initially focusing on the British Columbia market, the partnership aims to expand into other regions of Canada in the future. By teaming up with UpMeals, Sodexo will enhance its nutritious grab ‘n go meal offerings and create added value for its customers.
Drew Munro, Founder and CEO of UpMeals, said: “We are very excited to work with Sodexo, a global leader in food services. Together, we will leverage our technology and expertise to revolutionize the way healthy, nutritious meals are delivered and consumed in Canada.”
Martin Lapointe, SVP of Operations, Sodexo Canada Campus, commented on the partnership: “We are thrilled to partner with UpMeals, a company that shares our commitment to innovation and excellence in the food services industry. Sodexo Campus is excited to be the first sector in our organization to implement this innovative technology as students, faculty, and staff are always looking for healthy food choices. This partnership will ensure the campuses we serve are equipped with healthy, delicious options 24/7.”
The collaboration between UpMeals and Sodexo Canada aligns with their shared commitment to sustainability. UpMeals packages its products in sustainable packaging, reducing the environmental impact of their operations, and repurposes unsold meals to local charities, creating a minimal waste operation. This approach supports Sodexo’s sustainability goals and reinforces their commitment to responsible business practices.
View the complete release here:
https://ca.sodexo.com/media/news-releases/sodexo-canada-partners-upmeals.html
About Sodexo Canada
Sodexo delivers a wide range of customized solutions, designed to optimize work and living environments. Sodexo has been providing food and facilities management services in Canada for over 40 years, with a focus on enhancing safety, work process and well-being. Sodexo is a market leader in Canada. Sodexo has been recognized as a top employer for the past seven consecutive years. Sodexo is proud to have created the Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation, an independent charitable organization that has raised over $3 million to fight hunger and donated more than one million meals to at-risk youth across Canada since 2007. Sodexo is included in the CAC Next 20, CAC 40 ESG, FTSE 4 Good and DJSI indices.
Key Figures:
7,000 employees
Recipient of Canada’s Greenest Employer Awards 2023
Recipient of Canada’s Diversity & Inclusion Employer Awards 2021
1 million consumers served daily
About UpMeals:
UpMeals is a Vancouver-based food technology company on a mission to make healthy, nutritious meals available 24/7. Innovative SmartVending machines, modern corporate catering, and private label solutions provide custom, healthy, sustainably packaged meals that meet the highest food safety standards. UpMeals uses proprietary AI-driven software to create their custom meal solutions and reduce food waste. Using the data collected from their platform, UpMeals uses its software to improve menu offerings based on user feedback and popularity.
Media Contacts
Stephanie Aubin
Director of Communications, Sodexo Canada
stephanie.aubin@sodexo.com
+1 514-402-1839
Jieun Jeong
Marketing and Communications, UpMeals
jieun@upmeals.ca
