Oakland International Welcomes Oddbox and Mindful Chef Partnership

Oakland International, a leading multi‑temperature supply chain specialist and certified B Corporation, has confirmed a new on‑site operational partnership between Oddbox and Mindful Chef, bringing three purpose‑led food businesses together to scale sustainably, reduce food waste and simplify how customers shop for food.

The partnership will see Oddbox operate alongside Mindful Chef at Oakland International’s Redditch site, sharing infrastructure, expertise and low‑carbon operations to create a more flexible and scalable packing solution as demand continues to grow.

Oddbox CEO and Co-founder Emilie Vanpoperinghe said the move is a direct response to the need for greater operational flexibility and long term growth without compromising its sustainability commitments.

“We’d been thinking for a while about how to build more flexibility into our packing operation, something that could scale with us as we grow.

“When we looked at who could make that happen, Mindful Chef and Oakland International kept coming up. Beyond the operational fit, what really clinched it was how closely aligned we are on the things that matter: reducing waste, sourcing responsibly and building a food system that actually makes sense.”

The partnership also enables Oddbox to respond to growing customer demand for a more complete and convenient weekly shop.

Emilie added: “People don’t just cook with fruit and veg, they cook with fruit and veg alongside a whole range of other ingredients.

“Oddbox has long been where people come for their produce, but customers kept telling us they wanted more. This partnership allows us to meet that need properly, delivering a single box that covers what people genuinely need for the week, with fewer deliveries and less faff.”

Oddbox currently reaches around 70% of the UK population. Operating alongside Mindful Chef at Oakland International provides the operational foundation to expand into new areas while maintaining service quality and customer trust.

Oakland International Sustainability Officer Elinor Smith said: “Our partnership with Oddbox builds on our established relationship with Mindful Chef and reflects a shared commitment to using business as a force for good.

“We’re delighted to have Oddbox join us on site with Mindful Chef, strengthening a collaborative relationship between three like minded businesses. As all three are certified B Corporations, this reflects a strong alignment around sustainability, responsible growth and delivering positive social and environmental impact.”

The Oakland International site is powered by 100% renewable electricity, combining purchased renewable energy with its on site 990.26 kWp solar array, helping both Oddbox and Mindful Chef reduce their carbon footprint and progress towards net zero ambitions.

Mindful Chef Chief Operating Officer Matthew Maxwell commented: "This creates a real opportunity to build a smarter, more efficient supply chain. By working together under one roof, we’re able to scale more effectively, reduce operational waste and deliver greater convenience for customers. We’re pleased to support Oddbox’s continued growth and look forward to the positive impact this partnership will create across the food system.”

By operating under one roof and sharing infrastructure, the partnership turns shared values into practical, day to day impact, helping accelerate sustainability ambitions, strengthen responsible supply chains and deliver meaningful change.

Emilie said the partnership stands out for the depth of alignment across all three organisations:

“Partnerships like this don’t always work as well in practice as they do on paper, but this one has felt different from the start. There’s a genuine shared understanding of what good looks like, how you treat suppliers, how seriously you take waste, and how much you care about the customer experience.”

Oakland International is a specialist in multi temperature supply chain solutions, providing services including storage, distribution, contract packing, consolidation and direct to consumer delivery. The business is also recognised for its award winning distress load management service, leading the market in reducing food waste across the supply chain.