McCain supports the industry through training and developing disadvantaged entrepreneurs
In 2021, McCain Foodservice Solutions launched its Streets Ahead Programme, powered by street food incubator KERB+ which aims to invest in less-advantaged individuals looking to progress in the foodservice sector.
McCain Foodservice Solutions witnessed along with the rest of the world a knock to the world of foodservice and hospitality in 2020. These events set McCain on a mission in 2021 to bring more people back into the exciting sector with an ambitious and connected social enterprise initiative.
Streets Ahead aims to create real opportunities in communities where many find themselves marginalised or far removed from employment. Working alongside the UK's leading Street Food incubator, KERB, McCain's aim is to train and mentor less-advantaged people so they can turn their lives around through street food.
The Streets Ahead programme since its launch has invested over £146,000 into business concepts of those who have participated, many of whom have gone onto regular street food trading spots across the country. Over the past 18 months McCain has nurtured over 200 individuals keen to break into the sector, upskilling a new community of passionate individuals.
One of many success stories found from the Streets Ahead Programme is the ambitious Hind Danoun. Hind was a participant from the first cohort of Streets Ahead who had 100% engagement with the programme, working through the online classroom course, joining an immersion day at Covent Garden's Seven Dials Market, to working through one-to-one coaching sessions with the experts at KERB+. Hinds' dedication led to McCain's £10,000 investment in her business Utopia.
Hind now trades as Utopia regularly at central London markets as well as doing pop ups in Bonnington centre testing new menu concepts to ensure her customers keep coming back.
When McCain recently caught up with Hind, she mentioned "Streets Ahead has for sure helped my confidence. When I saw my dream come true, it made me proud of myself. The investment from McCain was my first step."
Hind joined McCain at a showcase market hosted in 2023 for all graduates of the programme, some traded for the first time. Hind re-calls "I remember when KERB told me after the Streets Ahead showcase market that I was the best seller. I said to myself this is it, I was so proud."
You can find out who else is emerging from McCain's Foodservice Solutions Streets Ahead Programme this year as they released the latest invested participants last week.
Find out more here: www.mccainfoodservice.co.uk/campaign/streets-ahead-winners/
