Partnering with Ample for a Sustainable Future

Ample, in partnership with Oakland International, has a unique opportunity to lead the food industry's journey toward a sustainable, net zero future. By establishing its industrial kitchen at the Oakland Food Science, Technology and Manufacturing Park, Ample is not only investing in its own growth but also in a socially and environmentally responsible food park. This partnership enables Ample to leverage a wide range of benefits that align with its commitment to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles.

Environmental Benefits: Leading the Race to Net Zero

The Oakland Food Science Park is designed to be one of the world's first off-grid, net zero food manufacturing sites, making it an ideal location for Ample to demonstrate its environmental leadership.

• Low Carbon and Renewables: The park's infrastructure is built on "carbon locking" principles. It utilises a mix of on-site renewable energy sources, including solar photovoltaics, wind power, ground source heating, and combined heat and power (CHP) plants, to provide clean energy and reduce or eliminate reliance on the national grid. This energy mix is managed to maximise renewable production and balance demand.

  
  

• Circular Economy and Waste Reduction: A key benefit is the on-site Anaerobic Digestion (AD) plant. This plant is fed by food waste produced on-site and from the "reverse supply chain" of retailers and restaurants. This waste is converted into valuable outputs, including:

  
  

  • Methane: Used to generate electricity for the park.

    
    

  • Fertiliser: Supplied to local farmers as a natural fertiliser.

    
    

  • Carbon Dioxide: Captured from the methane generators and pumped into on-site vertical farming units to improve yields.

    
    

• Reduced Carbon Footprint: The on-site consolidation of the supply chain significantly reduces food road miles and their impact on the local environment. Oakland's established consolidation models have a proven track record of saving an average of 84% in road miles. The site also uses electric, hydrogen cell, and CNG vehicles, as well as on-site shuttle vehicles, further reducing transport emissions.

  
  

• Resource Management: The park features rainwater harvesting, shared site recycling for wood, plastic, and cardboard , and on-site sewage and waste treatment.

  
  

Social and Governance Benefits: Building a Better Community

Oakland's commitment to social responsibility and strong governance principles creates a supportive ecosystem that aligns with Ample's mission¹⁷.

• Community Investment: The Oakland Foundation has a mission to combat child poverty locally and has pledged a £0.5 million investment. Businesses in the food park are required to sign up for a community pledge, committing time and investment to support local initiatives and enhance the community.

  
  

• Local Employment and Training: The park aims to create local jobs that offer a decent wage. It has its own on-site training facility with qualified trainers, offering cost-effective courses for food production operators. This also includes links with local universities to attract, develop, and retain talent in the local economy. The site also promotes family-friendly shifts, green travel plans, and a living wage as a minimum.

  
  

• Collaboration and Innovation: The park fosters a collaborative environment where businesses can share best practices and innovate together. The presence of a shared R&D center and on-site laboratories provides smaller companies like Ample access to state-of-the-art equipment for product development and testing.

  
  

• Resilience and Efficiency: The park offers a lean supply chain model that reduces distribution costs and provides cost-effective storage solutions. This allows businesses to operate with a smaller footprint, reducing the need for extensive storage space.