Food provenance codes poised for pub menus
Pub customers could soon be using their smartphones to check their dish's food provenance by scanning new "quick response" (QR) codes.
Punnets of strawberries by fresh produce suppliers Pauleys carry the QR codes that can be read in a similar way to barcodes using a reader downloadable from the internet or mobile application stores.
The service is intended for chefs, who are shown a "meet the grower" story on Pauleys website after scanning the code, but there is scope for adding the codes to menus so customers can also benefit.
"Information is key to all our customers," said Rachel Sewter, Pauleys marketing manager. "They want to know as much as possible about the produce they're buying — who grows it, where it's grown, how it's grown and the environmental and sustainability credentials of those who supply to us. With the introduction of QR codes on our produce we hope to make it even easier for chefs and diners to obtain this information.
"For pubs, hotels and restaurants and cafes this innovation will help them showcase the British and seasonal produce on their menus. All of which helps them enhance their offering to customers. It's now even easier for them to find out the story of what they're buying from field to fork."
Pauleys is working with other suppliers to make the QR code a feature on other items of fresh produce.
