We are an organic co-operative and strive to take an ethical approach to managing our business.

We want our communities to enjoy sustainable ethical food and household products and we deliver this by selling these products and providing support and education.

Our key values are:

We are ethical 

• We demonstrate honesty, fairness and responsibility
• We have democratic participation and aim for best practice
• We are transparent in our decision making and pricing
• We purchase food where practical from local producers and suppliers, ones that have positive social benefits, and/or a Fairtrade source
• We avoid suppliers that engage in unlawful practice and that violate human rights
• We pay suppliers within the agreed term
• Where possible we choose suppliers whose ingredients or products have a fixed cut-off date for animal testing

We are sustainable

• We stock mainly organic products and avoid genetically modified organisms (GMO)
• We meet all applicable environmental legislation and regulation
• We minimise environmental impact in all activities, including
  • Reducing waste and plastic through re-use
  • Recycling and purchasing recycled, recyclable or refurbished products and materials where these alternatives are available, economical and suitable
• We promote environmental awareness among staff, members and customers

But what exactly is a Co-op?

A co-op is a particular kind of business and this is central to the way we operate. The following comes from the UK Co-operatives website:

“A co-op is a business or organisation that’s owned and controlled by its members, to meet their shared needs. The members can be its customers, employees, residents or suppliers, who have a say in how the co-op is run.

Every co-op across the world shares the same co-operative principles and values:

There are seven co-operative principles that define how a co-op operates:

• A co-op is owned and controlled by its members. It exists for the benefit of its members, who may be customers, workers, suppliers or the wider community.
• A co-op is democratic – this means every member has an equal say in how it’s run and how profits are used.
• Every member contributes financially in some way – from buying products, working for the co-op, investing in it or deciding how to spend its profits.
• A co-op is an independent business, owned and controlled by its members.
• It offers education and training to everyone involved, so they can develop the co-op and promote the benefits of co-operation.
• It co-operates, works with and supports other co-ops.
• A co-op supports the communities it works with.”

And just to be clear; a co-op must not be run with the object of making profits mainly for the payment of interest, dividends or bonuses.