| TRIGONOS
FOOD POLICY |
POLISI
BWYD TRIGONOS
Ymddiheurwn
nad yw'r tudalen hwn ar gael yn y Gymraeg.
|
Trigonos
aims to provide fresh and healthy food for all its visitors. Our
menus are mainly based on vegetarian food but we happily provide
meat and fish as needed. We also imaginatively cater for a wide
range of special dietary needs. Food and how it is produced is important
to the farmers and growers, to the consumers, to those who love
the countryside and to the farm animals. There is, or should be,
a common interest in the business of food. Our policy seeks to reflect
that common interest.
We have developed
our food policy to reflect the key factors in the debate about healthy
food. These factors are divided into sustainability and practicability.
A third section concerns the production of food within Trigonos
itself.
SUSTAINABILITY
/ CYNALADWYEDD
Trigonos, as a
social enterprise, has a well-established policy on sustainability
covering all its activities. In relation to food we have identified
six key factors relating to sustainability:
-
Animal welfare requires that
animals live in as natural an environment as possible, receive
their natural diet, are subjected to minimum medication and are
slaughtered with the minimum of distress. Livestock and poultry
reared in this way will also be healthier for the consumers. We
will avoid products from intensively reared animals and favour
those raised and maintained in more natural conditions.
-
Fairtrade is an independent
consumer label which guarantees that disadvantaged producers in
the developing world are getting a better deal than if selling
through the usual commercial channels. We will give preference
to Fairtrade produce.
-
Food
additives natural and artificial, are generally found in higher
concentrations the more processed the product. We will keep the
use of processed foods to the minimum and avoid where possible
those with high levels of added sugar and salt and those artificial
additives that are known to have adverse affects on some people.
-
Food
miles concerns the distance food is transported and how it
is moved. Airfreight between continents is common and, according
to a recent Defra report, 25% of all HGV kilometres in the UK
involves the transport of food. We will minimise the use of long-haul
food.
-
Local food is that
which is sourced as near as possible to the point of consumption,
minimising the need for transport, maximising the prospect of
receiving fresh produce, creating a market for local producers
and benefiting the local economy. Local producers also need a
fair deal to ensure that they and their employees can make a reasonable
living. Using local food also means recognising and working with
the seasonal availability of different foods. Local food will
generally be preferred and we will encourage local production.
(Local means the nearest available producer).
-
Organic produce
is legally defined. It severely restricts the use of artificial
chemical fertilisers and pesticides. Instead, organic farmers
rely on developing a healthy, fertile soil and growing a mixture
of crops. Animals are reared without the routine use of drugs,
antibiotics and wormers common in intensive livestock farming.
Organic produce is increasingly available but can involve high
levels of food miles and high purchase costs. We will use organic
produce when it is readily available, affordable and does not
contribute excessively to food miles.
PRACTICABILITY
/ GWEITHIADWRIAETH
The
sustainability issues outlined above have to be considered in terms
of their practicability. Four factors are weighed when making purchasing
choices:
- Conflicting
preferences may mean that one factor works against another. For
example, organic produce may be considered healthy but involve air
transport from the developing world and with no guarantee of a fair
deal for producers and employees. Fairtrade may offer no guarantee
as to the use of herbicides and pesticides but does ensure a fair
return to producers and their workers.
- Availability
of supplies may mean that the preferred produce is not available
at certain times, especially when there is a preference for local
and seasonal food.
- Product quality
can vary greatly and we will not use poor quality produce even if
it is in a preferred category.
- Cost is key
consideration in terms of economic sustainability. We will not regularly
purchase items if the cost requires an increase in charges that
is not economically viable.
TRIGONOS PRODUCE
/ CYNNYRCH TRIGONOS
We grow a variety
of vegetables, salads and fruits on our own land for use in the Trigonos
kitchen and for sale to local people. All produce is grown using organic
and biodynamic principles
We are not, however, a registered organic producer but are members
of the Wholesome Food Association
whose guiding principles we support:
- Wholesome
food is grown and processed using sustainable, non-polluting methods
as close as possible to those found in nature.
- Wholesome
food is, wherever possible, traded and consumed within a short distance
of where it was grown.
- Wholesome
food is an integral part of life and community, rather than merely
a commodity for profit.
Trigonos’
policy on food has a clear sense of direction and is constantly evolving.
This allows us to take account of the changes around us, from the
local to the global. We welcome comment and contributions to help
with the continuing development of our food policy and practice.
| PUTTING
POLICY INTO PRACTICE |
RHOI'R
POLISI AR WAITH
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|
The Main Foods: Summary of Priorities
when sourcing foodstuffs. Where
appropriate priorities are given in order of importance.
We strive to meet these priorities but cannot guarantee
to do so.
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EGGS
Trigonos own free-range
Shop free-range / organic
MILK
Organic
Local
BUTTER
Organic
Local
CHEESE
Organic
Local
BREAD
Home baked
Local
Organic
VEGETABLES
& SALADS
Home grown
Local
Organic
FRESH
FRUIT
Local
Fairtrade
Organic
COFFEE/TEAS
Fairtrade
Organic
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JUICES
& OTHER DRINKS
Local
Fairtrade
Organic
DRIED
FRUIT, NUTS & VEGETABLES
Fairtrade
Organic
PRESERVES
Trigonos own preserves
Local
Organic
CEREALS
& RICE
Organic
Minimal processing
Fairtrade
LAMB
Local
Organic
BEEF
Local
Organic
SAUSAGES
Local
FRESH
WILD FISH
Sustainable sources
TINNED
FISH
Sustainable sources
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| Appropriate
sources are currently being sought for the following: |
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CHICKEN
Organic
Free-range
Local
HAM/BACON
Local
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FARMED
FISH
Organic
COOKING
& OTHER OILS
Organic
Fairtrade
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Updated / Diweddarwyd 18/10/06
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