About Us
Better Food Traders makes it easier for people to buy food that is good for the planet and people. We do this by accrediting and supporting food businesses governed by principles that ensure the food they trade is grown sustainably, the way they trade is fair to farmers, and the quality and provenance of produce is transparent to customers.
We have created a network that supports and amplifies the voices of this nationwide movement of food retailers who share these values.
The Current Problem
IMpact of our Members 2022-23
Over £14,500,000 sales of fruit and veg from UK agroecological and organic farmers
295 climate- and nature-friendly farms supported
100+ Better Food Traders and their 42,000 weekly customers working together to change the food system
Meet The Team
Julia Kirby-Smith
Kate Ford
Sarah Williams
Nicki East
Matt Moore
Hattie Hammans
Julie Brown
How the Better Food Traders came to be
In 1993, Julie Brown and a group of friends set up what was London’s first Community Supported Agriculture scheme. 30 households signed up to buying produce from a long-time organic farm in Buckinghamshire. The box scheme had been launched, but it wasn’t until 3 years later, that the name ‘Growing Communities’ was adopted.
“These were the early days of box schemes,” says Julie, “and it really felt very subversive to be unloading vegetables fresh from the farm at 6am right under the nose of the local Sainsbury’s!”
The Start-up Programme
By 2011 the box scheme (based in Hackney, London) was thriving. Growing Communities had expanded to include a number of urban growing sites, growing salad in the city and training the growers of the future, as well as the first all-organic farmers’ market. At that point, Julie came up with the idea of the Start-up Programme.
Birth of the Better Food Traders
The Start-up Programme helped set up community-led box schemes nationwide. At the same time, there was a significant expansion of local enterprises such as market stalls, shops and other box schemes supporting farmers to grow climate-friendly food. However, these small enterprises were often struggling and isolated. The need for a network became apparent.
“We want to extend our network of community box schemes to include all retail enterprises committed to an alternative ethically-driven food system. We want to support that network and at the same time provide guarantees to customers looking to shop in a different way” – Julie Brown
Better Food Traders and beyond
In January 2020 the Better Food Traders network launched. Supported by the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation, and partnering with Sustain, the Better Food Traders network aims to harness and focus the collective power of all of those ethical enterprises committed to climate-friendly growing and eating.
