HEALTHCARE
Your curated Guide for industry insights and supplier products and services.
HEALTHCARE BUYER GUIDE
THE YEAR AHEAD…
Hello,
Welcome to the Foodbuy/SGP Buyer Guide — your go-to resource for quality products, smart sourcing, and exceptional value.
At Foodbuy, in partnership with SGP Purchasing Network, we’re proud to support long-term care and retirement residence operators like you with the tools, partnerships, and purchasing power to help you deliver the best for your residents—while managing costs effectively.
This guide brings together a curated selection of high-value SKUs from trusted supplier partners, chosen specifically to meet the evolving needs of senior living communities. Whether you’re focused on quality dining experiences, everyday essentials, or operational efficiency, you’ll find solutions that are trusted, consistent, and aligned with your standards of care.
By purchasing the items listed in this guide, you unlock powerful savings opportunities — all backed by Foodbuy’s unmatched scale and SGP’s sector-specific expertise. It’s our way of helping you stretch your budgets further, simplify procurement, and reinvest savings where they matter most.
Learn how operators such as GW Management, owner of Oxford Living, streamlined procurement across 29 homes by working with our teams to build a custom virtual marketplace—cutting SKU complexity, aligning purchasing with menus, and driving meaningful cost and time savings.
We’re proud to support leaders like you with procurement solutions that free up your time and resources—so you can stay focused on what matters most: delivering exceptional care to your residents. If you have questions about the guide or want help maximizing your purchasing power, we’re here to help.
Warm regards,
Denise MacLean Senior Director, Healthcare and Education Foodbuy Canada
Jason Horne Vice President SGP Purchasing Network
GET TO KNOW US
The Foodbuy/SGP Partnership
Did you know that your Membership with SGP Purchasing Partner Network includes a membership with Foodbuy Canada?
SGP Purchasing Network is Canada’s leading transparent group purchasing organization, proudly Canadianowned and dedicated to supporting long term care, retirement, and senior living communities. By consolidating purchasing power, SGP secures competitive pricing and simplified ordering for nearly 90% of daily operational needs, from food and clinical supplies to furniture, equipment, and capital items, helping operators streamline procurement while maintaining high standards.
In 2001, Foodbuy and SGP entered into a partnership to deliver to you an industry-leading food and foodservices procurement portfolio of solutions.
Foodbuy is North America's largest foodservice procurement organization. Foodbuy works with over 400 recognized manufacturers and brands, to provide you the utmost in purchasing flexibility to maximize your procurement strategies.
Foodbuy is owned by, and is the sole purchasing provider for Compass Group and all of its many subsidiaries including Compass One, Marquise Hospitality, Morrison Healthcare, and Crothall Healthcare. As such, Foodbuy has a deep understanding of the healthcare sector and is able to work with Members and business sectors to secure procurement solutions and innovate to help your business succeed. Foodbuy has been able to aggregate thousands of operations’ purchasing volumes to ensure you benefit from the best possible supply chain solutions and savings for the specific and unique items that a healthcare operation needs.
SGP & Foodbuy together bring you:
• Experienced & specialized account management
• Competitive programs with unmatched savings
• 600+ contracted manufacturer partners
• Alignment with over 85 leading distributors
• Industry-leading deviated pricing and price protection
• Technology to enhance purchasing experience
• E-procurement capabilities
• Timely and relevant communications keeping you informed of pricing and industry changes
• Sustainable, Free Trade, local and regional procurement programs
Together with SGP, we provide your business with best-in-class purchasing programs to enhance and simplify your procurement.
Creamy Cremix ST-VA/PE-VA/CH-VA/MA-VA (Smooth, No Piece)
Aseptic Almond
Aseptic Almond
138867
135126
135121
137035
134685
134979
134980
205299 Oikos Pro Drinkable Strawberry Banana
205300
"We're creating a virtual marketplace"
How SGP and Foodbuy deliver smarter food procurement for LTC and retirement home operators
Rising food costs, limited staff resources, and the overwhelming complexity of product options have made food procurement increasingly difficult for long-term care (LTC) and retirement home operators. SGP and Foodbuy are changing that. At the heart of our value proposition is a deeply collaborative and data-informed process designed to simplify procurement, save time, reduce waste, and deliver meaningful cost savings—while supporting quality care for residents.
A Powerful, Three-Stage Process
1. Foodbuy Canada provides the foundation of the procurement program
Whitney Copeland, Ontario Sales Manager, SGP
Foodbuy brings industry-leading negotiated vendor contracts and product pricing. Members benefit from Foodbuy’s national buying power that maximizes savings without compromising quality. Through Foodbuy’s consolidated purchasing volume and strategic distributor partnerships, members gain more reliable access to in-demand and niche products as well as the assurance of best pricing and mitigation of cost increases from situations such as new tariffs.
Foodbuy’s sourcing team works year-round to find and evaluate new and innovative products that meet members’ needs while helping manage procurement costs.
2. Smart Sourcing: How the Right Products Are Chosen for Quality, Nutrition, Operational Execution and Value
With so many products available to choose from, selecting the right ones for retirement and LTC situations can be a daunting task. This is where Zahra C, Culinary Procurement and Services Manager, SGP plays a critical role in narrowing down the vast catalogue of available products. Her selection criteria are precise and rooted in both operational and nutritional priorities. She assesses:
• Nutritional value – looking at factors such as sodium content, protein, fibre and vitamins & minerals suitable for healthcare and retirement communities.
• Quality and performance – includes taste testing and performance in meal preparation.
• Contracted pricing – ensuring selected products are part of negotiated deals that generate savings for members. Once these criteria are met, this product list becomes the base guide which is shared broadly with members as a foundation to streamline procurement and ensure nutritional, operational, and financial alignment while meeting the needs of residents.
Now SGP can take this one step further. This foundational list can be further refined and customized to meet the specific needs of member organizations.
3. Custom Virtual Marketplaces:
From there, SGP Corporate Chef Nick Calina and SGP Sales Agents, such as Whitney Copeland, Ontario Sales Manager, work with members to customize the foundational list into a virtual marketplace tailored to the member’s unique needs— engaging directly with the members’ culinary leads to trial products, incorporate resident preferences, and remove unnecessary or low-performing SKUs. Members refine the SKU list through an inclusive process, often trialing items before finalizing selections.
This collaborative process ensures that each member ends up with a practical, high-impact and customized ordering tool (an Order Guide) that reflects their brand standards, care models, and menu cycles further removing SKU clutter and complexity.
Whitney emphasizes, “We’re not locking them in. We’re cocreating a virtual marketplace that’s easy to shop, filled with the best quality, value, and choices that work for them.”
For example, Anthony Rizzo, Director of Operations at GW Management, worked with Whitney and Chef Nick to create a tailored virtual marketplace for their 29 properties, reducing SKUs purchased from 7,500 down to 1,300. This drastically streamlined ordering, reduced food costs, minimized waste (such as purchasing the correct portion size of fish), and improved consistency across homes—without sacrificing choice.
Program Flexibility and Ongoing Optimization
Every virtual marketplace is designed to evolve with the needs of each member, ensuring continued relevance, and responsiveness.
• Customization by location: Remote or unique properties can add regional items. Operators are encouraged to bring forward product requests that reflect local preferences or supply realities, and these are incorporated with guidance from the SGP team.
• Adaptability: Members can add special items (e.g., seasonal items) to support seasonal menus, celebrations, or resident preferences.
• Weekly review: Any temporary substitutions or inventory shortages are addressed in real time and scrubbed weekly to prevent ordering drift, keeping each virtual marketplace clean and intentional.
This living system gives operators control and flexibility, without the chaos of open ordering. As Whitney notes, “We’re aiming to give teams what they need—nothing more, nothing less—so they can focus on resident care, not SKU management.”
The Member Advantage: Procurement That Works
These curated virtual marketplaces offer members a simplified, high-value, flexible solution that:
• Saves time and reduces ordering overwhelm.
• Ensures consistent ordering regardless of the kitchen staff's experience or training.
• Drives better pricing through the purchasing of contracted items.
• Ensures consistent menu quality across locations.
• Offers flexibility to suit local needs and chef preferences.
As Whitney explains, “More and more operators are jumping at the opportunity to take part in this process - what used to be frowned upon as limiting is now seen as a lifeline in today’s economy.”
If you’re interested in creating a curated virtual marketplace to support your procurement goals, inquire with your SGP Sales Agent.
DISTRIBUTOR PARTNERS
NEW DISCOVER THE UNTAPPED CULINARY POTENTIAL OF
PARED B LUE COD
Blue Cod from New Zealand is ready for any foodservice adventure. A healthy, low-fat white fish that is an excellent source of protein is sure to satisfy any seafood craving. Its delicate texture and mild flavour offer a bounty of culinary potential, so you can give customers the choices they want at a cost that works for you.
TASTE
Blue Cod offers a mild flavour and flaky texture, similar to cod/haddock.
VALU E
Blue Cod is a high-quality species at a reasonable price point.
LABOUR SAVING
Prepared Blue Cod helps save time and labour while supporting a wide variety of cuisines and dishes.
SUSTAINABILITY
Wild-caught by MSC-certified sustainable Fisheries from the sub-Antarctic waters of New Zealand.
Procurement with Purpose
How Foodbuy and SGP are optimizing for resident well-being
SGP Purchasing Network are leaders in providing procurement solutions by simplifying purchasing so operators can amplify their care. SGP understands the essential role that culinary and nutrition procurement, as well as menu planning plays in residents’ quality of life. Building cost-effective, culinary and nutritionally adequate menu resources requires in-depth knowledge across a range of operational factors, as well as a robust procurement program. As such SGP’s goal is to provide members with a culinary and nutrition procurement program based on menus that are carefully crafted to exceed the guidelines from the 2019 Canada’s Food Guide while taking into careful consideration budgetary limitations, therapeutic and texture modified diets, equipment considerations, resident feedback, and supply chain logistics.
SGP’s seasonal menus, published twice annually, are developed to meet Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs). The gold standard for confirming this is a nutrient analysis based on the actual menu items, standard portion sizes, and production methods used. Each menu is reviewed by a Registered Dietitian, and the nutrient analysis is completed using Synergy
Tech Suite, which sources data from both manufacturers and the Canadian Nutrient File.
The menu plays a crucial role in guiding procurement decisions, this is where Zahra C., Culinary Procurement and Services Manager at SGP enters into the process. Zahra is no stranger to the complexities of culinary and nutrition programs in healthcare and senior living, and plays a critical role in ensuring that SGP members have access to products that are cost-effective, culinary and nutritionally adequate, based on the bi-annual menu which prioritize resident wellness and independence.
As SGP’s Culinary Procurement and Services Manager, Zahra leads the development and refinement of procurement strategies and product selection processes that put members' needs at the forefront. Central to this effort is the recently developed Food and Nutritional Products Optimization Decision Tree tool — a structured, step-by-step protocol designed to ensure that every product offered meets rigorous healthcare and senior living standards.
Optimizing Procurement for Health, Efficiency, and Impact
This decision tree evaluates food and nutrition products across multiple dimensions:
Menu Fit: Is the product aligned with the seasonal menu releases and nutritional guidelines for healthcare and senior living?
Operational Relevance: Does it work in real-world settings, with considerations like ease of service and preparation?
Cost Effectiveness: Is the product budget-friendly while maintaining quality?
Contracting Viability: Can the item be consistently sourced and integrated into the culinary and nutrition program through supplier agreements?
If a product fails at any step, it’s excluded. “This process ensures we are advocating for member’s needs at every step,” Zahra explains, “so we are consistently delivering meaningful recommendations that support operators and those in their care.”
Respecting Resident Independence
One guiding principle that underpins Zahra’s approach is supporting resident independence. “When we evaluate products, we consider the lived experience of those in our care,” she says. “For example, individually wrapped
Zahra C., Culinary Procurement and Services Manager, SGP
items can be a barrier for seniors with dexterity challenges. Our selections aim to promote dignity and autonomy.”
This human-centred mindset is rooted in SGP and Foodbuy’s shared commitment to enhancing quality of life across healthcare and senior living settings.
Due Diligence Behind the Scenes
Members may only see the finished menu or order guide—but behind the scenes, there’s an extensive process of analysis, evaluation, and refinement. Zahra and her team work with operators, manufacturers, and culinary and nutrition experts to ensure each product is vetted for use in healthcare and senior living. “Our decisions are guided by meaningful feedback from our members and robust data analytics,” Zahra adds.
A strategic partnership with Foodbuy allows for the sharing of cross-industry data insights and supports the selection of high quality products with national industry-leading contracts. This collective intelligence allows SGP and Foodbuy to align purchasing strategies across both networks’ to leverage aggregated volume, and collectively negotiate the best value—ultimately enhancing the group purchasing advantage.
Leveraging Technology for Seamless Access
To ensure accessibility SGP integrates menu content across multiple platforms. Members can access their menu and procurement tools through broadline distributor platforms as well as SGP’s Member Portal at SGP Purchasing Network Menus. Desktop based resources are available for communities without digital integration. No matter what, members can maximize the benefits of their SGP membership by accessing compliant menu packages, curated order guides, nutritional and costing reports, operational and training tools and resources and more—making it easier to stay in line with regulatory standards, industry best practices, and purchase the best quality products at the best-value.
At its core, this procurement strategy is more than a system—it’s a philosophy. One that balances analytics, integrity, and compassion to deliver meaningful support to culinary and nutrition programs across Canada. “We want members to know that as owner operators and the largest group purchasing organization serving the healthcare and senior living sector, we are well positioned to develop these tools and resources with client and operator realities in mind” Zahra says. “When members use our tools, they can be confident that they’re taking part in a thoughtful, well-supported approach to care.”
EMPOWER YOUR PROCUREMENT
VALUES MISSION
At Foodbuy, our mission is to revolutionize procurement with transparency and flexibility. We champion ethical practices, toptier service, and environmental stewardship, fostering a vibrant collaborative culture for our customers, partners, and team members.
VISION
Our vision is to set the gold standard in procurement partnerships through relentless innovation, unwavering sustainability, and unparalleled service.
• Flexibility: We dedicate our vast purchasing power and scale to developing unique, tailored procurement solutions, yielding maximal value for each of our members.
• Optimism: No matter how challenging or demanding your business needs may seem to be, we maintain a positive outlook and high level of confidence at all times to make the deals happen.
• Resourcefulness: We deal with a plethora of industries, organizations, and products. Our size, experience, and expertise provides us with the resources required to offer the innovative and customized solutions we’re known for providing.
• Transparency: Unlike other GPOs, we are committed to full disclosure in regards to the contracts we negotiate. You’ll know how much you’re saving, how much we’re saving, the details of your spend, and the scope of your opportunity.
CASE STUDY
Simplifying procurement with SGP & Foodbuy
How a smarter process helped GW Management cut costs, reduce waste & save time across 29 retirement homes
THE CHALLENGE
• 7,500+ SKUs to choose from
• Staff overwhelmed by product selection
• Inconsistent quality and missed savings
• Rising food costs, limited time and resources
Joining SGP/Foodbuy has been a game-changer for our procurement process. What used to be a time-consuming and fragmented task is now streamlined, efficient, and highly cost-effective. The centralized purchasing has not only saved us valuable time but also provided access to competitive pricing and trusted vendors. This does not only include food as we have leveraged vendors across all industry including FF&E and waste removal. Thanks to our partners SGP and Foodbuy, we're able to focus more on our core operations while knowing our purchasing is handled with expertise and consistency."
Anthony Rizzo, Director of Operations, GW Management
THE 3-STEP SOLUTION
National Buying Power
Foodbuy brings pre-negotiated vendor contracts with top-tier pricing and product availability.
Expert Product Selection
Nutrition-led curation by Zahra—focusing on sodium, protein, portion size, and vendor reliability.
Custom Virtual Marketplace
SGP’s Whitney & Chef Nick tailor the marketplace for each member:
• Test-run items
• Align with menus
• Reduce complexity
• SKU count reduced from 7,500 to 1,300
FLEXIBILITY BUILT IN
• Regional customization supported
• Weekly guide reset to remove out-of-stock or temporary items
• Seasonal add-ons like Cornish hens or holiday favourites
• Local chef input always welcome
RESULTS THAT MATTER
GW Management is a fast-growing group of retirement communities across Canada focused on exceptional care and comfort for older adults.
Partnered with: SGP & Foodbuy Canada
• 80% SKU reduction
• Less waste
• Faster ordering; More time for staff to focus on care
• Better pricing
• Consistency across 29 homes
EGGS. ACCESSIBLE NUTRITION TO MEET DIVERSE NEEDS.
1299836 We understand the importance that good nutrition plays in all stages of life. We provide a wide variety of quality and
to prepare products. Enjoy nutritious and tasty eggs any time of day.
01304 5321538 1360346
01330 5321544 1360352
Supplier Spotlight
A Trusted Partner for Uniforms in Senior Living Communities
At Foodbuy, we believe in partnering with suppliers who not only deliver quality products, but who also understand the unique needs of our members. That’s why we’re excited to spotlight Chef Works® Canada.
Chef Works® is a well-established, solutionsbased company with a strong presence in Canada. They’ve quickly become a trusted partner for long-term care and retirement communities seeking professional, cost-effective, and sustainable uniform programs.
As a trusted full-service apparel provider, Chef Works® meets the unique uniform needs of senior living and healthcare professionals—from reception, maintenance, and housekeeping to culinary and resident care associates—with tailored solutions that blend style and function.
Uniforms That Do More Than Look Good
Uniforms in healthcare and senior living environments are more than just attire— they are a critical tool for professionalism, hygiene, and team cohesion. A past study by *J.D. Power and Associates found that patients felt more confidence in uniformed healthcare professionals, associating them with competence and trustworthiness.
“From our experience in senior care and retirement living, we’ve learned that welldesigned uniforms have a direct impact on employee morale, accountability, and engagement. Staff work long hours in demanding conditions, so comfort, breathability, and durability are essential.” Jeff Berman, Chief Commercial Officer, Chef Works® Canada
Chef Works’® healthcare apparel is designed with performance and care in mind, featuring moisture-wicking technology, four-way stretch fabrics, wrinkle- and stain-resistant materials, with durable, breathable construction.
Chef Works® operates a state-of-the-art, paperless distribution facility, leveraging advanced logistics to ensure timely nationwide delivery, simplified procurement, and minimized administrative burden, freeing operators to focus on what matters - patient and resident care.
What a Tailored Chef Works® Purchasing Program Delivers
• Simplified procurement processes from a single source, reducing administrative burden.
• Compliance monitoring, to boost professionalism through consistent branding.
• Real-time dashboards and reporting to provide optimized inventory management, reduce leakage, and ensure on-time fulfillment.
• Significant cost savings through bulk purchasing and contracted Foodbuy member pricing.
• No minimum orders
• In-house production for customized embroidery and quick turnaround times.
• Dedicated customer service to provide optimized program management and ongoing support.
The Foodbuy Advantage: Trust Built In
At Foodbuy we know that cost management is top of mind for many operators. As a Foodbuy/SGP member, you can take advantage of Foodbuy exclusive pricing, streamlined procurement, and turnkey uniform programs that reduce complexity and deliver value. With Chef Works®, you get a supplier that acts like a partner—one that understands healthcare, listens to your needs, and evolves with you.
QUALITY APPAREL QUALITY CARE
Uniforms for Every Role Beyond the Kitchen
Keeping healthcare staff happy (and fed)
Why food & socialization matter more than ever
The healthcare sector is grappling with a familiar challenge: finding and keeping qualified staff. With a tight labour market and growing demands on frontline teams, it’s more important than ever to invest in the daily experience of healthcare workers — and food can play a powerful role.
New Research Points to a Simple Insight: Happy Staff = Happy Residents
Recent findings from a survey of health care staff at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton and the Power of Socialization survey (2024) conducted by Compass Group, Foodbuy’s parent company - which gathered input from 115 healthcare employees across Canada - point to a clear opportunity, supporting social connection at work helps staff feel more satisfied, engaged, and resilient.
Here’s what the research tells us:
• Relationships matter. Staff who have strong connections at work report higher levels of happiness and job satisfaction.
• Social moments happen in shared spaces. Break rooms and on-site dining areas are natural hubs for connection — but only if they’re comfortable, inviting, and well-stocked.
• Organic socializing works best. Employees prefer to connect casually during workday breaks rather than at structured teambuilding sessions.
What Can Operators Do?
To support staff well-being (and retention), healthcare facilities should consider enhancing workplace food and beverage
(F&B) experiences in the following ways:
1. Create inviting spaces for staff to gather. A clean, cozy break room or dining area — with access to hot meals, snacks, and good coffee — encourages moments of relaxation and connection.
2. Offer hot main meals and healthy snacks. Staff appreciate variety, freshness, and a sense of being cared for. Nourishing food is fuel — for both body and morale.
3. Host simple, social F&B events. Think grab-and-go breakfast bars, coffee and cookie breaks, or afternoon snack carts. These small gestures make a big difference.
Staff Preferences Are Shifting
The data also reveals that healthcare staff have distinct foodservice habits compared to the general public. They’re more likely to seek fresh, satisfying meals during long shifts — not fast food. Operators who tailor offerings to meet these evolving needs will have an edge in both satisfaction and service.
Bottom Line:
In today’s challenging healthcare environment, keeping great staff means supporting the whole person. That includes recognizing the value of social interaction, designing better break experiences, and serving up food that fuels connection. Because when staff feel seen, supported, and satisfied — everyone benefits.
A SAFER, SIMPLER AND SMARTER WAY TO CLEAN WITH SCOTCH-BRITE™
Your peace of mind is our peace of mind. Help protect your customers with trusted Scotch-Brite™ Professional products that stand up to the most rigorous restaurant cleanliness standards. With 13 of our best-selling Scotch-Brite™ Hand Pads HACCP International-certified as “Food Safe”, you can be confident that you are cooking in a kitchen that is cleaner and safer. We are making things even easier by introducing our HACCP International-certified Scotch-Brite™ Kitchen Cleaner & Degreaser Wipes with Scotchgard™ Protector.
Learn how 3M’s innovative solutions help make cleaning-by-hand faster, easier and more effective at 3M.com/foodservice.
Bite sized thoughts from Chef Nick
How to elevate the foodservice experience in senior living
You could say that Chef Nick Calina, Regional Director of Culinary Development, SGP, was raised in the kitchen. Both of his grandmothers were cooks in long-term care homes, while his mother and father held various roles in the senior living sector. What started as a job working the grill at 15 years old, quickly became a passion for Nick, leading him to culinary school, a career in resorts and restaurants, and ultimately a move into senior living foodservice. Over the years, he has held national culinary leadership positions with Chartwell, Revera, and now SGP, where he brings a wealth of experience and an unwavering dedication to quality, innovation, and people-first service.
Today Chef Nick plays a crucial role at SGP Purchasing Network, creating seasonal menus for retirement communities. He approaches this challenge with a philosophy of “making something old new again.” Rather than overwhelming senior diners with unfamiliar dishes, he focuses on reimagining classic favorites in ways that balance comfort with modern culinary trends.
Nick ensures members maximize the value of the SGP/Foodbuy foodservice programs while helping operators navigate culinary challenges, from menu development to operational efficiencies. He assists members with back-of-house processes, ensuring that staff have the right tools, techniques, and products to create high-quality meals within budget constraints. He describes his work as a blend of consultant, mentor, and problem-solver, helping retirement and LTC operators elevate their dining programs through smart purchasing, strategic menu planning, and thoughtful execution.
Chef Nick’s goal remains to help operators create exceptional dining experiences that respect the dignity, preferences, and health of their residents. Whether through menu innovation, operational support, or training, his mission is to ensure that foodservice professionals have the tools, knowledge, and quality ingredients needed to succeed.
“At the end of the day, we’re in a people-serving-people business,” he says. “If we put the right heart and effort into it, we can make a real difference in people’s lives—one meal at a time.”
~Foodbuy
Chef Nick Calina, Regional Director of Culinary Development, SGP