We are always keen to share news of what our Carbon Charter members are doing and to encourage our businesses to support other organisations within our Carbon Charter network – and now, in these difficult times of Covid 19, I’m sure you’ll agree this is more important than ever.
Many of our members from within the food and drink sector continue to work tirelessly to deliver their products and services whilst complying with social distancing requirements and supporting those who are self-isolating within our communities. Here is a summary of some of the services that our Carbon Charter members are currently offering:
Our Pathfinder Partners the East of England Co-operative continue to provide a valuable service to their local customers while observing social distancing rules. They are also offering 10% discounts to NHS and care workers across their Food Stores and home delivery from some stores.
The Buxton Potato Company have their potatoes for sale at the farm gate and are delivering larger bags within a 5-mile radius of their farm at Buxton, Norfolk.
The Tacons Farm Shop remains open (whilst observing social distancing guidelines) and is also offering home deliveries to their most vulnerable customers.
Alder Carr Farm Shop (home of Alder Tree Ice cream) is offering a contact free collection service on a Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday to their vulnerable customers who require it. They are also offering home delivery services to their very local customers (within Creeting St Mary and Needham Market) who need to self-isolate.
Purely Pesto are offering a free pot to every NHS worker with every home delivery and free local delivery for orders over £15.
Both Maple Farm, Kelsale and High House Fruit Farm, Sudbourne are keeping their self-service farm shops open to customers to purchase their fresh, local produce.
New members Yare Valley are also keeping their farm shop open to the public, as well as offering local deliveries. Their Yare Valley Rapeseed Oils can also be ordered online.
Other Carbon Charter members continue to offer online ordering and home delivery through their websites, so feel free to take a look and support other local, sustainable businesses in our area:
Coffeelink – ethical coffee roasted in small batches Ipswich
DJ Wines – fruit wines and liqueurs from Monk Soham, Suffolk available online (but currently not via the shop)
The Greek Olive Company – olives, herbs and spices – creating amazing flavours in Martlesham, Suffolk
Hill Farm Oils – cold pressed rapeseed oils and a range of sauces and dressings from Heveningham nr Halesworth, Suffolk
Hodmedods – sourcing and supplying beans and pluses from British farms from their new ‘Bean Store’ near Beccles, Suffolk
James White Drinks – fruit juices and drinks delivered from their base at Ashbocking, Suffolk
Keejays – now has an online shop through which customers can buy their sauces (produced in Hadleigh) and has also started production of its own ‘Goldfish Brand Hand Sanitiser’ which will soon be available to purchase
Shawsgate Vineyard – although the vineyard near Framlingham is currently closed to the public, wine can be ordered through their online shop
St Peters Brewery – beer brewed near Bungay available for home delivery through their online shop
The Wild Meat Company – natural meat from the Suffolk countryside direct to your home
Yum Yum Tree Fudge – fudge from Woolpit available for home delivery. Look out for their electric vans charged from their own solar PV panels! Sales help raise money for local and international charities.
And other Carbon Charters from outside the Food and Drink sector are also seeking ways of supporting their clients and the wider community:
Coastline Graphics has also produced a ‘Return to Work’ guide which helps businesses to identify the sort of equipment and signage available which they are likely to require to comply with social distancing requirements as we move out of lockdown.
EV Driver‘s network of charge points remains open for all and has 24/7 customer support to ensure key workers can continue to use them. Staff in Melton are still able to carry out remote desktop surveys for those interested in adding EV charging at work or home and are also making reusable fabric masks for carers and delivering these by bike and electric vehicle to the hospital and care homes in the area.
RA Brown Heating Services is now able to offer installation of renewable heating systems again in Norfolk and Suffolk (although their showroom remains closed) and support home owners and businesses to reduce their carbon footprints. See our ‘Grants and Funding‘ section for details of financial support available for the installation of renewable energy systems.
Sentinel Leisure Trust (which operate several sports and leisure facilities in our region) has told me that they are donating all stock that goes out of date up to July to East Suffolk Council food banks to help people self-isolating and will extend this date as time progresses.
