Cotswold Fayre reports to be first UK carbon-neutral fine food wholesaler

Cotswold Fayre has entered into a partnership with transport and logistics experts GEODIS which it says will enable the business to be the first fine food wholesaler in the UK to be completely carbon-neutral.

GEODIS will provide a complete supplier to retailer logistics service, collecting products from listed suppliers, warehousing and stock managing, picking and delivering orders direct to retailers.

The transport and logistics expert’s Euro 6 compliant fleet and the eradication of trunking goods through regional hubs is a combination that will reduce the wholesaler’s carbon footprint by 46% and the remaining carbon output incurred will be offset.

Paul Hargreaves, CEO at Cotswold Fayre (pictured), told Speciality Food, “As a B Corp, Cotswold Fayre has always had the planet as equals with people and profit, but we have recently declared a climate emergency. There are 10 years left before potential environmental meltdown occurs if businesses and people do not change their habits.

“The government’s target of being carbon neutral by 2050 is far too long and businesses must show the way and act more quickly. Their customers are demanding it, their employees are desiring it and the planet may die without action. I feel that it is important that Cotswold Fayre, as a speciality food wholesaler, leads the way amongst the much larger mainstream food and drink wholesalers and I believe that we are the first wholesaler to announce carbon neutrality.”