Sourcing Policy

We know our place: We will always start local and then look further afield to find the right product or ingredient. We support our local producer communities and provide our customers with a sense of place, showing the best of where we are.
We delight in our craft: Our offer is unique. We search for products that are unique or not widely available, that will surprise and delight our customers. Our offer should reflect traditional skills and expertise.
We take the right road: We want to work and source in a way that minimises the long-term impact on the land and benefits the people around us and our producers. When we source from overseas it should directly benefit the producers and their communities in a similar way.

Our producers: We work with producers that bring their expertise and passion to what they make or grow. We look to buy direct where possible to best influence quality and sourcing. Where this is not possible, we select from wholesalers that we trust, who share our values and work with producers and growers in the way that we would wish. We actively seek out and support small and upcoming local producers to help them grow.
Every product we buy is selected individually. We will not compromise on quality and select only products which we feel are right for us.

We select products that are made from simple, wholesome ingredients

For products made in the U.K., primary ingredients (such as meat, milk, eggs, and F&V) must be sourced from G.B.

Meat
All meat sourced from low-intensity farms that promote high levels of animal welfare and look after the land to ensure a long-term environmental benefit. Beef, lamb and pork are from traditional and native breeds either from our farm or from farms we know and trust that are local to our sites. All animals UK born, reared and slaughtered. No long-distance travel of live animals. Minimised used of antibiotics to treat illness only.
In our Farmshops we champion traditional farming with traditional and native breeds from small, local producers.

Dairy, Eggs and Bread
Sourced locally and, where possible, directly. Dairy products and eggs from low intensity, high animal welfare farms with good land management. Eggs low intensity free-range only.
Bread from local craft bakeries only, without added improvers, bulkers or other additives only present to aid production or shelf-life.

Fruit and Veg
Sourced locally when in season, otherwise from UK growers. Overseas produce is used only if not available in the UK and is a specialism of the area it comes from and is in season. We either source directly or from wholesalers who follow the same principles.

Tea and Coffee
We select our coffee roasters as per our principles, starting locally and looking for expertise and quality. The coffee and tea must be sourced from known farms that demonstrably grow in a sustainable way and directly benefit their community.

From local apiary, supporting the local ecology.
Water/soft drinks

UK water and bottling only, unless unique, artisan specialism of a region.