Suma sponsors National Vegetarian Week

Suma is adding its support to National Vegetarian Week as a sponsor.

Launching today (October 1), the event runs until October 7 and sees the co-operative join as a sponsor. Suma explains that supporting National Vegetarian Week is a perfect fit; it has been proudly vegetarian since we started back in the 1970s, and nearly 50 years on, Suma is still passionate about food that’s vibrant, creative and, above all, full of flavour.

A Suma spokesperson commented: “At Suma, we’ve been championing that idea since 1977. We were founded as a vegetarian wholefood wholesaler, at a time when vegetarian food was still very much a niche interest. Nearly five decades later, being vegetarian remains central to who we are. It’s not a trend we’ve jumped on; it’s part of our history, our business and our everyday lives.

“That’s one of the reasons National Vegetarian Week matters to us. It’s an opportunity to celebrate vegetarian food without making it feel worthy or complicated. Because ultimately, good food is good food. It should be delicious, satisfying and something you actually want to eat. It’s also a chance to encourage people to try something different. You don’t have to rethink your entire diet to enjoy more vegetarian food. Swap the mince in your favourite chilli for lentils or beans. Try tofu in a stir-fry. Add chickpeas to a curry. Discover a new grain, pulse or spice. Make vegetables the star of the show rather than something squeezed onto the side of the plate.”

Pukka Herbs marks Organic September with celebration of decade-long Eden Project partnership

Pukka Herbs and environmental charity, the Eden Project, are marking Organic September by celebrating 10 years of partnership, as both organisations reach their 25th anniversaries.

Since 2016, the partnership has used educational experiences and storytelling to connect millions of Eden Project visitors with the importance of biodiversity, the power of plants and sustainable sourcing, bringing Pukka’s commitment to people, plants and the planet to life. Through the partnership, Pukka highlights its use of high-quality organic herbs and the Fair for Life and FairWild certifications, which support its efforts to promote fair trade practices and the protection of biodiversity and grower communities.

The anniversary comes as organic moves further into the mainstream, with 83 per cent of British households now buying organic. It also comes at a time when 61 per cent of British adults say they are concerned about the safety of ingredients in everyday products.

Elle Barker, CMO, UK and Ireland at LIPTON Teas and Infusions, which owns Pukka, commented: “As we celebrate Organic September and mark 25 years of Pukka, we’re incredibly proud of our decade-long partnership with the Eden Project. Together, we’ve helped bring the story of herbs, biodiversity and sustainable sourcing to life for millions of visitors. The partnership reflects what Pukka has stood for since day one: creating delicious blends made with high-quality herbs, while helping to protect the communities, plants and ecosystems that make them possible. As expectations around transparency and sustainability continue to grow, we’re committed to ensuring these principles, alongside our Fair for Life and FairWild-certified sourcing standards, remain at the heart of our business.”

Claire Crook, Head of Marketing at the Eden Project, added: “Every cup of tea starts with plants, soil, pollinators and the people who care for them, and that’s a story we’ve been proud to share alongside Pukka Tea for the past decade. Through exhibitions, experiences and storytelling, we’ve helped visitors see the connections between human wellbeing and a thriving natural world. As we both mark our 25th anniversaries, we’re delighted to celebrate a partnership built on a shared belief that people are more likely to protect what they understand and value.”

Meanwhile, Alex Cullen, Commercial and Marketing Director of The Soil Association UK, commented: “We are delighted to see this partnership between an organic brand and one of the UK’s most important ecological projects continue to develop. Organic agriculture is a key part of the UK meeting its climate and nature goals. Furthermore, as Brits grow more concerned about hidden artificial chemicals and confusing labels, new research suggests organic is emerging as a simple, trusted choice for shoppers who want food and other products with greater transparency. Attention-grabbing headlines around contamination in everyday food and drink products with PFAS, glyphosate and artificial pesticides, including some pesticides that are still sprayed on produce in the UK, despite being banned in the EU for health reasons, are no doubt driving more consumers to buy organic, which people recognise as a healthier and safer option. Pukka’s sourcing model is built on long-term relationships with supply partners, farmers, growers and collectors. Agreed pricing, long-term demand visibility and shared investment help support traceability, responsible agricultural practices and resilient farming communities across its fully organic supply chain.”

Organic September kicks off with campaign on UK’s biggest billboard

The Soil Association launched Organic September with a bang by taking over the UK’s largest billboard.

The month-long campaign kicked off yesterday and saw the Soil Association taking over The Manchester Screen, the UK’s largest billboard, to put organic messaging where people can’t miss it.

In its social media post, the Soil Association said: “Because organic isn’t just a label. It’s a different way of farming, producing food and shopping with nature at the heart of it. Organic deserves to be seen. So we’re making it impossible to miss.”