Feeding 20,000 British soldiers in the Kuwaiti desert helped 3663 First for Foodservice grow its business during an otherwise subdued 2003, the company said yesterday.

The firm, whose name spells out the word "food" on a phone keypad, said contracts to supply Britain's forces fighting the Iraq war led it to open a depot in Kuwait.

The operation comprised just one of 3663's contracts with the Ministry of Defence (MoD).

It has been supplying food to British troops in Afghanistan and was already serving soldiers, sailors and airmen at their home bases in the UK.

Reporting results for the year to June 30, parent Bidvest said 3663's revenue grew seven per cent while operating profits rose 26 per cent, despite challenging trading conditions.

Thursday August 14, 2003