Submitted by Harry Hook
Devon-based Sharpham Dairy has successfully achieved certification as a B Corporation (B Corp) making it the first cheese dairy in the country to achieve this globally recognised accreditation.
Greg Parsons, owner of the dairy which produces multi-award winning Sharpham Cheese, says: “After a year of external scrutiny over our business practices, we are thrilled to have received B Corp’s prestigious recognition.
“When we took over the dairy in 2019, my wife Nicky and I set out to use cheese as a force for good – cultivating a business that our team, suppliers, customers and retailers are proud to be associated with. Leading with our family values, we’ve created a culture of caring deeply for our business environment – putting profit for purpose at the heart of everything we do.”
Sharpham Dairy believes in trading responsibly through such efforts as minimising its environmental footprint, using sustainable packaging, creating a good place to work and securing Living Wage accreditation, and establishing fair and respectful relationships with suppliers.
B Corp status is a clear signal that a business has outstanding social and environmental responsibility, having met rigorous judging criteria. The externally audited process requires applicants to demonstrate best practice in five impact areas: Governance, Workers, Community, Environment and Customers.
Greg continues: “From our perspective, a successful business is one that acts with transparency and integrity, in accordance with its core values, and has a responsibility to leave something better behind. From nurturing the symbiotic relationship between healthy pastures and livestock to supporting the people who churn milk into cheese, these values have been embedded in Sharpham Dairy’s DNA from inception 40 years ago, so we have always been aligned with B Corp ethos.
“B Corp is the best way to validate we’re doing things the right way, along with the many awards our cheeses have won over the years. As we pursue our path of organic growth, we will continue to hold ourselves to account and consider environmental and social impact in every decision we make.”
Chris Turner, executive director of B Lab UK, says, ‘We are delighted to welcome Sharpham Dairy to the B Corp community. This is a movement of companies who are committed to changing how business operates and believe business really can be a force for good. We know that Sharpham Dairy are going to be a fantastic addition to the community and will continue driving the conversation forward.”
Home to their famous Brie, Rustic and Ticklemore cheeses, Sharpham Cheese is handcrafted with milk from their own herd of Jersey cows, along with goats and ewe’s milk from their West Country neighbours. Over the years they have won outstanding awards including UK Supreme Cheese at the Global Cheese Awards and British Product of the Year in the Great British Food Awards judged by Marcus Wareing. For more information, visit www.sharphamcheese.co.uk.
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