Foodbuy Connects GPO Group With Clients Through Culinary Academies

This large-scale GPO group wanted a way to better connect with Members through direct collaboration. The goal was to strengthen existing relationships and highlight the full value of their partnership.

Foodbuy’s Culinary Solutions team partnered with this healthcare GPO group to host a series of “culinary academies” in cities across the nation. The academies are two-day clinics led by Foodbuy and four supplier chefs aimed at continued education for Member culinary teams. Chefs work side-by-side exploring topics like low labor products, adjusting procurement strategies to meet healthcare needs, and using one SKU multiple ways.
Starting in early 2020, these events were hosted as virtual webinars until June 2022 when regional in-person events were able to resume.

Foodbuy and the member client hosted 8 webinar events in 2021, as well as 5 webinars and 4 live events in 2022. The group is planning 6 live events for 2023 to continue the program. Attendance for in-person events ranges from 30-35 participants, while the webinars were open to all with participation ranging from 77-250.

These workshops have helped to:

• Facilitate contracted supplier participation
• Highlight 8-16 contracted products per event
• Secure continued education credits for attendees
• Ensure suppliers are aware of their audience and demonstrations are applicable

The member GPO group was able to strengthen their relationships with members through direct interaction, increasing client retention and providing various benefits to their network. This allowed the member GPO to ensure that all members are engaged through virtual and in-person sessions touching all US regions.