To find out more about our work with producers, click on the image above.
Responsible sourcing
We work hard to make sure the ingredients we use in our products are sourced as responsibly as possible, protecting people and the planet.
We focus our responsible sourcing strategy around categories of ingredients that have the greatest sourcing risks for our business. As many ingredients share risks, such as deforestation, climate change, labour rights, we believe a category approach is a more effective way of tackling sourcing risks.
Our responsible sourcing strategy aligns with our commitments to external partnerships and industry initiatives to positively impact people and planet and reflects our evolving risk approach that continues to prioritise the actions and opportunities which reduce our most material sourcing risks.
Where it drives change, we support credible certification and work with key partners to cooperate on shared challenges and drive meaningful change.
Fresh Produce
We work with producers to drive improvements in yield, soil quality, water management, crop utilisation and biodiversity.
We source produce under Red Tractor in the UK and GLOBALG.A.P for those sourced from other areas. We have a Crop Protection Policy to reduce impacts on the environment and people and work to address Water Security in our supply chains.
We’ve led activity with our main tomatoes supplier to facilitate engagement with UK and European retailers, Government, local NGOs, industry associations and the ETI, focused on driving collaborative action to improve conditions for migrant workers in Italian agriculture. Find out more
Animal Protein
We work with our farmers and suppliers to ensure Co-op’s animal welfare standards are followed while also looking at ways to reduce the environmental impact of the products we sell.
For all our Co-op branded fresh, frozen, and prepared meat and poultry products, our main welfare assurance scheme is Red Tractor. For higher welfare products such as outdoor bred pork, we use RSPCA Assured certifications or equivalent.
We ensure all of our seafood products are sourced in a responsible way, which allows for a sustainable marine environment.
Since 2008, all shell-eggs sold (Co-op own brand and branded) have been free-range as a minimum, and we only use free-range eggs as ingredients in our own-brand products.
Forest-risk Commodities
We recognise that deforestation and land conversion present a significant risk to and from food supply chain. Tackling this is essential to meeting the ambitions in our climate plan as well as wider protection of nature and communities.
In line with our Science Based Targets Forest, Land and Agriculture guidance, we are committed to zero deforestation across our primary deforestation-linked commodities, with a target to reach this by the end of 2025. We class our primary deforestation-linked commodities as beef, cocoa, coffee, palm oil, rubber, soy and wood/timber.
We work with our suppliers and collaborative industry groups to increase the transparency in these forest supply chains.
Fairtrade Priority Ingredients
Co-op have pioneered Fairtrade since 1994, driven by our passionate members who remain committed to Fairtrade.
At Co-op we believe Fairtrade is the gold standard of ethical and sustainable certifications. Fairtrade is more than a logo – it is a movement for trade justice. Through the Fairtrade Standards, Minimum Price, Fairtrade Premium, producer voice and campaigners, it delivers a unique proposition.
We want to make it easy for our members and customers to choose Fairtrade. Therefore, we have 100% Fairtrade commitments across core categories including own brand tea, coffee, bagged sugar, bananas, African roses and cocoa (including where used as an ingredient). We are also the world’s largest seller of Fairtrade wine and the largest seller of Fairtrade flowers in the UK. We have over 400 Fairtrade lines in our range for customers to choose from so together we can positively impact the lives of Fairtrade producers and protect our planet.
Human Rights and Ethical Trade
We champion the best labour standards in our supply chains, acting responsibly towards the workers who make our products and being proud of how we behave towards the people we do business with.
We align to internationally recognised laws and standards, such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and the ETI Base Code. These are reflected in our Ethical trade and Human Rights Position Statement,Sound Sourcing Code of Conduct and Grievance & Remedy Policy.
We have a particular focus on our Co-op branded items as we recognise that this is where we have the most leverage.
Find out more about our priorities and activities:
Modern Slavery Statement: Modern slavery statement - Co-op (co-operative.coop)
Cruelty free
All Co-op branded cosmetics and household products, including cosmetics, toiletries and household cleaning products, are Leaping Bunny approved. To read more please click here.
Future of Food
Our Future of Food ambition looks at how we tackle sustainability challenges up to the year 2030. Everyone has a part to play because together, we can make a difference.
Sourcing and creating with care
All of our products will be created with respect for people and the planet and made with quality and sustainability at their heart. You should know where your food comes from and be able to make healthier and more sustainable choices.
Treating people fairly
People are at the heart of everything we do and those who make our food are facing uncertainty when it comes to the economy and the environment. That’s why we want a fair deal and resilient livelihood for everyone in our supply chain.
Learning and celebrating together
What people do at home and on the go has a major impact in the future of food. We’ll work with our members, customers and future generations to identify what matters most and how to drive change together and create sustainable solutions that work every day.
Latest updates
From launching Future of Food in 2018, we have made significant progress on our goals to 2030 - from how we source and create Co-op products, to how we treat people in our supply chains and work together with members and customers to make choices that are better for the planet easier.
We have so much to be proud of - so take a look at our Future of Food 2020 update for our highlights. Read our Future of Food policy and Future of Food 1 year on to find out exactly what we’re planning to do from now until 2030 to meet the challenges we all face.
