Our Ethics & Values

Our aim is to produce and sell high quality products in as environmentally and ethically responsible way as possible.  We are pleased to have already succeeded in a number of areas but know there is always more we can do - so if you have any suggestions please let us know!

 

What Are We Doing....?

 

ENERGY                

All our electricity is from 100% renewable sources

We are working with CRed, the Suffolk Carbon Reduction Programme, to minimise our energy use and    

carbon emissions.

We offset our remaining carbon emmissions with Carbon Balanced by the World Land Trust.

 

                                                        

 

INGREDIENTS & FOOD MILES

We source all of our ingredients as locally as possible, and use no artificial flavourings, colourings or preservatives.

Fruit

Over 75% of our fruit comes from our own farm - Alder Carr Farm - here at Needham Market, or our family farm at Bury St. Edmunds.  The remainder is grown on farms within East Anglia.

Sugar

We use East Anglian sugar for all our products except our Christmas variety where we also use organic brown sugars.

Cream

Our cream comes from Dairy Crest at Fenstanton.

Ingredients from Abroad

Some ingredients, such as ginger or vanilla, do have to come from abroad and then we source organic or fairly traded products wherever possible to help ensure a fair deal for people and environment abroad.

 

    Organic Stem Ginger from Ginger Dragon    

 

    Organic Chocolate from Montezuma's        

    Organic Vanilla from Nielsen Massey           

 

FARMING

At Alder Carr Farm we farm in a manner sympathetic to the environment, minimising pesticide use and leaving as many wild areas as possible to encourage beneficial insects and wildlife. The Alder Carr - an area of wet woodland - is an official SWT Otter haven. Over 70 bird and 250 plant species have been recorded.  We feel farmers have an important role in shaping our countryside and manage the farm under Defra's Environmental Stewardship Scheme.

 

WASTE

We were delighted to be able to work with our cream supplier to reduce our non-recyclable packaging by   

over 75% in 2008.

All our glass & cardboard, paper and rigid plastic is collected for recycling.

We have a recycling centre on site so customers to Alder Carr Farm Shop can recycle their glass and textiles.

 

OFFICE SUPPLIES

All the paper and envelopes we use are recycled or from sustainable sources.

 

PACKAGING

Our 500ml containers are currently made from polypropylene which is made from non-renewable fossil fuels, but has one of the lowest impacts on the environment of all plastics according to Greenpeace.

 

We are keeping a close eye on the development of freezer tolerant bio-plastics, as a potential replacement and for the lids and spoons of our 100ml pots..

 

Our 100ml pots are now made from Forestry Stewardship Certified paper.