When the tender for meal deliveries to the Swedish Migration Agency’s accommodation was decided, the Boden company Almost There was the winner. The contract involves delivering and serving 1,200 meals a day, all year round, for four years – and the company doubling its workforce.
– It feels fantastic,” says Lina Ekström Morin, Business Development Manager at Almost There.

The company runs the restaurant at Boden Business Park. An important part of the procurement process was the cooperation with PublicInsightwhich, like Almost There is located in the area. PublicInsight helps companies to find, understand and win public procurements and the business manager Jonatan Widgren contributed with structure and support in the process.

– A lot is already being done today, but it is not always documented. He has helped us to create structure there,” says Lina Ekström Morin.

The company won the tender not on price, but on quality and working methods.

– We won on other things, like reference assignments and how we work with environmental management and quality assurance. And that they believe that we will be able to deliver a higher quality than standard. To go a little further, to want something more,” says Lina Ekström Morin.

David Young is the project manager for the mission, which has its first delivery on Monday, November 17. He describes the project as both comprehensive and meaningful, where the meals not only fulfill a practical need but can also create contact and context.

– Budgets are tight compared to many other industries, but it is still possible to create a lot of added value. It feels great to be part of it,” he says.

“Food is central to all people”

According to David, delivering food is not just about cooking and serving.

– Food is very central to all people. I think it’s important not only to deliver meals, but to find a team that can add value and connect. It’s not something that was included in the tender, but it’s something we want to be involved in creating for those who are there and who may be in a difficult situation,” he says.

The mission involves the creation of nine new posts, doubling the number of staff.

– It’s great to be able to employ people from different cultural backgrounds. Swedish is not a requirement – in this context, other languages can be more important. For example, we have hired a person who speaks four languages and it is absolutely fantastic to have that competence in communication,” says Lina Ekström Morin.