A Devon dairy has become the first UK cheesemaker to be certified as a B Corporation (B Corp).
Sharpham Dairy, located on the Sharpham Estate on the River Dart near Ashprington, has joined a global group of establishments judged to have a high standard of ethics and that balance profit with purpose.
In order to attain B Corp status, which is administered by US non-profit organisation B Lab, companies must be able to demonstrate responsible practices in five impact areas: governance, workers, community, environment and customers.
Sharpham Dairy said it had been recognised for its efforts to trade responsibly, through minimising its environmental footprint, using sustainable packaging, securing living wage accreditation and establishing “fair and respectful relationships” with suppliers.
The dairy, known for its award-winning range of cheeses produced from Jersey Cows and Devon goats, was established by former estate owner and environmentalist, Maurice Ash in 1981.
Greg and Nicky Parsons took over the business in 2019, with the pair saying they were “thrilled” to have received the “prestigious recognition".
Mr Parsons said: "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.”
There are more than 600 B Corps in the UK, with accredited South West organisations including Bristol-based chamber of commerce Business West and Gloucestershire environmental consultancy Lighthouse Sustainability.
Chris Turner, executive director of B Lab UK, said: "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.”
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