Sustainability

'Sustainability' is an infinite game.

We must endeavour to keep it at the forefront of our minds in all of the activities we undertake.

It’s all about having a healthy and thriving business without compromising on our next generation’s enjoyment of the natural resources around us.

Sustainability means looking after the precious resources we have and ensuring that wastage is keep to a minimum whilst we meet the customer’s needs.

The following word table helps us consider the practical efforts that can be taken:

Incorporating sustainability into our core values helps us lead better lives, be a good neighbour, develop talent and be a valued employer. It does good things for the planet, society, people, family and business.

We ensure all staff are well aware and informed on how they can play their part in implementing these values which ultimately leads to a safer and more enhanced experience.

All of our main suppliers are based locally and the majority of our food comes straight from Birmingham Wholesale market. We have identified several new suppliers for oils, cheeses and continental meats within a 10 mile radius of our premsies and aim to keep are carbon foot print to a minimum.

We have signed up with the fabulous ‘too good to go’ app and regularly supply the local community with our goodie bags.

Examples of practical steps Gourmet Foods has taken to improve sustainability over the last 12 months:

• The purchase and operation of an electric powered van for use in deliveries thus reducing carbon emissions and operating costs.
• The purchase and use of high quality crockery thus reducing the use of disposable packaging.
• When using disposable packaging, where possible we use RPET material which is made from 100% recycled content - the most environmentally friendly and widely recycled material type in the UK. This material is 100% food safe and can be recycled after use.
• Optimising energy and water efficiency, eliminating or minimising all types of pollution.
• Refrigeration maintenance regularly inspected and maintained by specialist company.
• Change lighting to low consumption LED system.
• New blast chiller to increase shelf life
• New herb garden on premises

• Oil recycling
• Cold Room Door Management - properly insulated cold room with door that can be and are shut when not is use are significantly more efficient than those that are not.
• Planned preventative maintenance - vehicles and equipment that are correctly maintained and serviced against a pre-planned schedule are more likely to be fuel efficient than those that are not.