Our sustainability efforts
Being a company that primarily specialises in fresh fruit and vegetables, we know how vital it is to protect our ecosystem. We review our sustainability policies every year to ensure we stay on top of the best practices and are committed to procuring in a manner that promotes sustainability and limits the environmental impact of the business.
Objectives
Work in partnership with our supplier base to improve performance, limit errors and mistakes and thus promote efficiencies
Take a long-term view to purchasing; aim to achieve the best price over a period of time rather than the lowest price achievable at any point in time
Promote the use of U.K. products from local farms and growers
Use our fleet to backhaul goods where appropriate and achievable
Our achievements so far
Support Class 2 produce
Purchasing Class 2 produce from existing suppliers to reduce food waste including Asparagus and juicing apples from Kent, Cabbages from Lancashire, and Tomatoes from Sicily.
Partner with more UK suppliers
Developing multiple partnerships with local suppliers in Kent, including Thanet Earth for our cucumbers, salad leaves from L.J Betts, and more.
Eco-friendly packaging
Working with suppliers to switch as much of our packaging over to biodegradable as possible and gradually introducing crates for deliveries to limit our cardboard usage.
Reduce food waste
Partnering with Felix to reduce our waste and send our second-class produce to much-needed communities.
Reduce landfill waste
Working with Osca Bio Energy to convert food waste into renewable energy with their cutting-edge anaerobic digestion facilities, reducing our carbon footprint and lowering our overall food waste disposal.
Paper-free
With an average of 60% of our orders going through EDI and multiple key processes going digital, we’ve reduced our overall paper usage by 40% and in turn gained the company additional investment for future sustainability initiatives due to the efficiency.
Looking ahead
We will continue our efforts with our partners to implement tangible, sustainable solutions to reduce our carbon footprint and environmental impact.
Goals
Electric cargo bikes
Reduce carbon emissions by introducing electric cargo bikes for second deliveries.
Reusable trays
Implement RFID-tagged trays to substitute cardboard boxes to reduce cardboard usage.
Centralised location
Relocating our Camberwell hub to be in Deptford to reduce our carbon footprint between the warehouses.
Waste reduction
Continue to reduce waste with our customers through organisations such as Waste Knot.