New sustainability approval scheme brings suppliers and restaurants together

6th February 2012, 3:10pm

Food and drink producers and restaurants have welcomed the launch of The Sustainable Restaurant Association’s new Supplier Approval Scheme that for the first time recognises suppliers’ all-round sustainability and gives restaurants an easy way to identify them.

Approved suppliers, those that exceed the SRA's minimum standards on productions methods, supply and client and staff relations, will be featured in the SRA's Supplier Directory.

The process is similar to the SRA's Star Rating for restaurants, is rigorous but quicker for suppliers to complete and covers all the key areas of sustainability as identified by the SRA.

The SRA Supplier Approval Scheme has been developed with independent producers in mind, giving them a simple means of highlighting their sustainability credentials to potential buyers. The SRA worked with a number of suppliers including Taywell Ice Cream, Fletching Glasshouses and Rough Old Wife Cider to ensure the scheme's appropriateness and workability.

Alastair Jessel, managing director of Taywell Ice Cream, said: "As a small primary producer it can be really hard communicating what we do and the quality we offer to restaurants. The SRA Supplier Approval is a simple, reliable means of doing just that."

Dr Alan Rae of Fletching Glasshouses said: "It's really encouraging that leading restaurants want to feature fresh, organic and above all local food. As organic growers we are always seeking new outlets for our produce and we believe that this scheme will benefit growers, customers and diners alike."

Simon Reed, of Rough Old Wife Cider, said: "This initiative now extends the ethos of the restaurant members all the way to the sourcing suppliers – true end to end sustainability. This initiative and the supplier directory gives an instant and pre-checked set of criteria ensuring that the restaurant can source from suppliers with a like minded ethos – the SRA has done all the hard work for them!"

Already the SRA has approved a range of suppliers including bottled water company Belu, chocolate maker Original Beans, wine producer Yealands and tea maker Lalani & Co. Initially the SRA is offering the approval to food and drink producers only, but it will be developing the survey to incorporate other types of supplier and would like to hear from producers and suppliers interested in playing a part in that process.

Mark Linehan, managing director of the SRA said: "We believe the SRA Supplier Approval Scheme will provide a key reference point for restaurants, bringing them together with suppliers. This is the first scheme to consider and approve the all-round sustainability of producers, giving them the recognition they deserve, restaurants a means of identifying potential new suppliers and customers a greater chance of eating food that matches their values. "

Approval costs £150+VAT annually and interested suppliers should contact George Clark at the SRA for more information via email George@thesra.org or call him on 020 7479 4227. To view the SRA supplier directory go to http://www.thesra.org/suppliers/supplier-directory/

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