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Our purpose
"As a family business, our focus has always been on the long-term impact we have on both the environment and the community, not just our financial success."
Charlie Bigham, Founder
More than 25 years ago, Charlie set out to build a brilliant food business that would stand the test of time. Today we’re still an independent family business, an active part of our communities, an innovator for sustainability and the environment.
Environment
Sustainable Sourcing
Pledge: 100% sustainably sourced by 2027
Freshness is key to making our meals so delicious, and we care deeply about sourcing the very best ingredients from suppliers we really trust. Every ingredient we use is fully traceable, so we know where it comes from – a big task given how many fresh ingredients arrive at our kitchens each day.
When it comes to ingredients, the details matter. Details like our wild caught fish being Marine Stewardship Council certified, and all our herbs being LEAF marque assured. Or the fact that we only use British beef from cows that have been grazed outside for at least 120 days a year.
Tackling food waste
"We want to make sure that not a single mouthful
of food that is edible ends up going to waste."
- Charlie Bigham
Fresh food is too good to waste, especially when there are people who regularly go hungry. Through our charitable giving, we work with some fantastic charities to make sure that surplus food from our kitchens finds its way to someone’s plate. Over the years, we’ve donated thousands of meals, surplus ingredients and more to London-based City Harvest. And since 2022, we’ve donated meals to FareShare South West, part of a country-wide network of charities that tackle food waste and hunger. Take a look at our latest Impact Report to find out more.
Packaging
Given the care we put into our food, boxing it in plastic just doesn’t feel right. That’s why, 15
years ago, we introduced wooden trays. Having found a French family business making
cheese boxes from PEFC-certified poplar, we tested the wood to check it was food-safe and
oven-friendly. And when we finally found a glue that wouldn’t melt, everything fell into place.
The trays took time to perfect, but we’re proud of them. We didn’t stop there, though. From
ceramic dishes to recyclable cardboard and plastic film, we always think beyond the
(wooden) box.
Creative ideas to try at home:
- use them as herb planters
- kindling
- break them up and put in home compost
Biodegradable Ceramics:
We use natural red clay to create our ceramics, offering a more
biodegradable option for our packaging needs.
Innovative Film Solutions:
We introduced the use of 30% recycled plastic in our packaging
film—an industry first. We continually strive to reduce the film's thickness without
compromising the product's freshness and quality, cutting down plastic usage by 9 tonnes
annually. Our combined efforts have led to an annual reduction of approximately 24 tonnes of plastic
waste. Through these initiatives, we proudly move towards a more sustainable future, ensuring our
products are not only delicious but also environmentally responsible.
Bcorp
B Corp certification didn’t exist when we first started out, but since day one, we’ve
always worked hard to look after our people, our communities and our environment.
Since 2020, we have been certified as a B-Corp, affirming our commitment to
maintaining high standards of environmental and social welfare. Our recertification in
July 2023, with a score of 82.4. We work on ways to keep on improving every single
day.
Sourcing
Freshness is key to making our meals so delicious, and we care deeply about sourcing the very best ingredients from suppliers we really trust. Every ingredient we use is fully traceable, so we know where it comes from – a big task given how many fresh ingredients arrive at our kitchens each day.
When it comes to ingredients, the details matter. Details like our wild caught fish being Marine Stewardship Council certified, and all our herbs being LEAF marque assured. Or the fact that we only use British beef from cows that have been grazed outside for at least 120 days a year.
Giving back
Pledge: 2.5% profits (before tax) donated to local charities
10,000 volunteering hours by 2027
We’ve always loved working with charities involved with food, whether that’s preparing, cooking or enjoying it. Each year, we aim to donate 2.5% of our profits (after tax) to fund good causes that are close to our food-loving heart.
Impact Report
This is a platform to display all the hard work we have done to be certified as a Great
Place to Work and B-Corporation. Here, we highlight our excellent initiatives and
partnerships which demonstrate that we are a force for good!