Yorkshire-based Suma Wholefoods has launched its first sustainability strategy, outlining its commitment to sustainability and detailing measures to reduce its environmental impact and promote ethical and socially responsible business practices.
The move sees the co-op, which is owned by its 300 workers, taking its sustainability efforts to the next level by addressing several key areas, including reducing waste and carbon emissions, supporting local suppliers and organic agriculture, promoting fair trade and B-Corps practices, educating citizens and expanding its plant-based offer.
“As a worker co-op, we have worked hard to put environmental and social goals at the heart of everything we’ve done since we were founded over 45 years ago,” comments Harriet Steventon, a member of Suma’s sustainability team. “We recognize that we’re facing a climate emergency and need to act.
we are committed to continuing to explore new ways to reduce our impact on the planet
“So, over the last year we’ve reviewed how we approach sustainability and looked for more ways to step up and use our co-op as a force for good, creating a sustainability strategy that sets our direction up to 2030 and beyond. We are excited to launch our new sustainability plan and share our commitment to these important issues with our customers and the wider community.”
“We know that there is always more we can do to improve our sustainability performance, and we are committed to continuing to explore new ways to reduce our impact on the planet. By 2030, we aim to be a zero waste to landfill business, take further steps to decarbonise our fleet of trucks, and increase the percentage of organic products we sell.”
In addition to outlining sustainability goals and initiatives, the report includes a roadmap for measuring and reporting on the company’s progress towards these goals and Suma will be regularly updating stakeholders on its performance.
“We know being sustainable and ethical on a large scale is complicated,” admits Sophie Ziegler-Jones, Suma’s comms and PR lead. “It’s important to us to provide honest, informed takes on the progress and setbacks. sharing what it’s really like for a larger, co-operative business to make the changes needed to face the climate emergency.”
