Fresh Direct was out in force at the Combined Services Culinary Challenge 2009 (CSCC 09) on October 27-29 at Sandown Park Racecourse, to show the armed forces the multitude of fruit and vegetables that can be delivered to the troops.

The ninth year it has been held, the CSCC is the flagship event for all HM Armed Forces’ caterers and provides Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force chefs and stewards the opportunity to demonstrate their skills in a highly charged competitive environment.

Fresh Direct development chef Duncan Parsonage told freshinfo at the event: “Fresh Direct has been serving the ministry of defence (MoD) for the last four years and we have been involved in this activity for the last three. Our advantage as a company here is that we supply from local hubs, although we are national. That is what people like.”

Fresh Direct exclusively supplies fresh produce to the armed forces in the British Isles and has seen orders increase this year, as well as chefs turning to more seasonal, British fare.

“This year, we are really flying the British flag at this event and dressing up as if it is a farm. Last year it just didn’t make any sense to be at the show in suits. This is about letting the MoD chefs know about the British farmers and where the food comes from. We have had so much interest,” said Parsonage.