A No Nasties Approach NAFNAC (no artificial flavours, no artificial colours) :

At The Source we focus on quality, clean products. We understand the importance of providing a range where we don’t compromise on taste for a healthier choice. This means we avoid harmful E-numbers and opt to source products which use natural colours like beetroot powder, spirulina and carrot for our sweets range. Not all E numbers are bad and are simply codes used to identify food additives that have been approved for use after passing safety tests. You will see some E numbers for products like our chocolates and snacks but majority of these are natural like E414, gum acacia, is a natural gum derived from the hardened sap of acacia trees and used as a thickening agent or stabiliser to prevent ingredients from separating.

We source high quality Belgian chocolate which doesn’t need to be ‘padded out’ with added sugar like the standard supermarket ranges. We also strictly avoid any parabens or sls, which are known to be toxic to aquatic life, in our cleaning and personal care ranges.

Organic & Sustainable Farming:

We champion organic farming and are proud that 55% of our food range is organically grown. To be certified organic the produce must meet a thorough set of guidelines covering soil quality, pest and weed control and use of additives.

But no fear, just because a product is not certified organic, which can be a costly process for small farmers, we always make sure our suppliers are still practising sustainable production. For example, our delicious Duvichus Olive Oil is harvested by hand in Kalamata Greece to avoid disturbing wildlife with machinery and locally cold-pressed to reduce road miles. Not only this but they are the first UK zero waste olive oil supplier and considered pioneers in this sector. Similarly, our Extra Virgin Avocado Oil is from the heart of Kenya's best Avocado and Macadamia farms, where Omega Pressery discovered the amount of waste caused by surplus produce due to cosmetic imperfections. This led to them partnering with farmers, transforming the 'wonky' harvests into high-quality, Omega bursting cooking oils.

Social Impact Suppliers:

Apart from supporting ethical food production we wanted to highlight some of the inspiring social impact work our suppliers are carrying out. Our tea range is supplied by NEMI teas, an enterprise which creates training & job opportunities for refugees within the hospitality sector, empowering them to shape their own journeys. Our new Fairtrade Dark Roast Coffee is grown by the Café Femenino Foundation which supports more than 1,500 women in Middle and South America to emancipate them and earn their own living. The whole process from bean to coffee remains in the hands of women. You may have seen our adorable felt Christmas decorations last year? Those are thanks to Felt So Good who support a team of over 250 local Nepalese in remote areas offering an opportunity for secure and regular employment creating handmade, fairtrade and compostable felt decorations. Finally, our newest addition to our reusables range, AYA & IDA, a Danish family-run brand on a mission to reduce single-use waste through their reusable essentials designed to last. Through the AYA & IDA Foundation they also work with UNICEF to help provide clean drinking water, sanitation and hygiene to children in vulnerable communities
around the world.

Local Sourcing:

Buying locally is a mission of ours to support British growth, whether that’s being grown or manufactured here, coated or roasted or designed. With 30% of our products supporting British businesses, we are always striving to discover new and exciting products from home.

Female Led:

As a female led company, The Source champions other companies and workforces who are contributing to driving equality in the workplace. Purpose Foods, our supplier of Protein Balls and Donuts, was born from the owner, Nina, wanting to create snacks which were both delicious and nourishing to the digestive system. Similarly, B-Corp certified, Seep, have been awarded the Cartier Women’s Initiative fellow and Sustainable Business of the Year in the Startups100 for their range of sustainable cleaning products. With already 3,500,000 plastic items saved from landfill we are incredibly excited to be stocking Seep and contribute to a change for good.

Central Deliveries:

In 2020 we partnered with a UK third-party warehouse to consolidate our orders to a central location, to reduce ordering frequency and in turn reduce emissions. The warehouse is run using renewable solar energy and practises route efficiency to reduce emissions. We have a strict no-air policy and only receive goods via sea and road freight.