We source our ingredients from organic, local and Fairtrade suppliers as far as possible.
What is meant by Organic?
"Organic" refers to how food is produced, not just what it is. An organic banana is not merely a nice banana that tastes better and looks different than all those identical supermarket bananas. All organic food is grown without any artificial additives, fertilisers, pesticides, or genetic modifications.
Soil is kept healthy through natural means like crop rotation and proper compost, while insects and other wildlife act as natural predators for pests. Animals welfare is vital: livestock are raised in comfortable and humane conditions, without growth hormones or antibiotics, and are given feed that is itself certified organic. Genetically modified soy, maize, and other products are banned for use in animal feed as well as in food for humans.
What is Fair Trade?
Fair Trade is a partnership between the producer and the consumer, whereby a fairer proportion of the money you spend as a consumer reaches those who need it most, namely, the poor agricultural and artisan workers of Third World countries. This is achieved by cutting out greedy middle men, and guaranteeing prices to improve financial security so that long term investments can be made that were impossible before, such as sending children to school or acquiring loans to improve their standard of living.
The range of Fair Trade foods is still relatively small, but the consequences for the people that produce them, and sell them under Fair Trade conditions is large, so even a small purchase can make a difference. It shows your support for these producers and as part of a regular shopping habit, can help them work their way out of poverty.
Ethical Consumerism
By changing our patterns of consumption we can help to change the unsustainable system of world trade which increases inequality, destroys the environment and threatens our future. Although Fair Trade crafts and food account for a small part of the market, they are part of a process of informing consumers so they use their purchasing power to pressurise supermarkets and High Street stores to adopt and enforce Fair Trade policies.