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Working together for Good Food.

Promoting ‘good food’ is the inspiration behind Food Shed. We are dedicated to reducing negative environmental effects of food supply chains, whilst celebrating food culture and supporting local jobs, livelihoods and economies.

Our guiding principle is to promote sustainable foods, by which we mean foods that are produced, processed or sold in ways that:

  • Avoid environmental degradation and protects our natural biodiversity
  • Takes account of the welfare of animals
  • Contributes to local economies and livelihoods

This is simiplier to validate for certified Organic, Biodynamic and Fairtrade items, however, we hope to include small producers that perhaps do not have the budget to obtain such certification. And since there is no single blueprint for what constitutes sustainable food, we will also give consideration to other factors that affect sustainability beyond simply promoting organic food. Such considerations include methods of production, processing, transportation and retail.

In light of our principles, we request that you abide by our Producers Charter if you wish to sell on Food Shed.

Food Shed Producers Charter

As a listed seller on Food Shed, you agree to:

1. Offer more sustainable food products

How? Examples of sustainable foods are given below, but you can show commitment to producing more sustainable foods by making strides in any of the following areas:

  • producing on a small-scale or by hand or by artisinal methods
  • offering seasonal items
  • limited or reduced use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides
  • conserving water and energy on site or during transport
  • minimizing production waste or packaging waste

Explicitly, you agree not to sell:

  • Chicken raised in ‘Battery’ cages or their eggs
  • Beef raised on a diet of corn.
  • Any products from animals raised on animal by-products, growth hormones or non-essential antibiotics
  • Seafood on the SASSI Red List

2. Maintain direct contact with the customer

How? By dealing directly with your clients, showing them the real value of your produce and the quality of your products.

3. Guarantee the traceability of the item or ingredients used

How? Ideally, you will have grown or locally sourced your ingredients, and you provide this information. However, we understand that not all items can be sourced locally. That’s fine, as long as you can provide details on the provenance of the item or ingredients.

Examples of Sustainable Food

  1. Local* and Seasonal ingredients
    ‘Eat the Seasons’ for extra tasty and ever changing food! Using local and seasonal products also minimises transportation, storage, packaging and energy input, whilst contributing to the local economy!
  2. Grass-fed beef
    Feeding cattle with an unnatural diet of corn (e.g. in feedlots) increases land and fuel use and creates waste sewage sludge. Grass-fed beef has less fat in the meat and higher in Omega oils, so is better for your health (and theirs) and the manure isn’t wasted!
  3. Fish types that are not over-fished and are caught in a sensitive manner
    It’s not only the type of fish that is important; some fishing methods cause great damage to the environment. The WWF SA Sustainable Seafood Intiative (SASSI) is the ultimate source of local information. Download the SASSI pocket guide here.
  4. Free range animal products
    Free Range denotes that animals have been raised in a humane environment, not trapped in cages. Meat tends to be of a better quality through natural muscle growth rather than needing growth hormones.
  5. Organic, organic-in-conversion and biodynamically farmed products
    These products are produced in a way that prevents environmental damage because less fertilizers and pesticides are used, so they don’t end up in waterways and the atmosphere. Additionally, these products won’t be covered in chemicals that may affect your health.
  6. Fairtrade products
    Ensures a fair deal and sustainable livelihood for producers and their workers by creating opportunities for those marginalized by the conventional trading system, e.g. coffee.
  7. Low waste and energy use
    Waste: Food packaging should be minimal, and what there is should be reusable and compostable or recyclable. Energy: Large amounts of energy are also used to grow food ? especially out of season, to prepare food - in cooking and refrigeration and during transportation.

*Note  
What distance is ‘local’? Everyone has their own idea of local, and our interactive map allows you to choose how local you want to shop. It also comes down to the item in question, as some things are more choosey about where they grow (like bananas). However, sustainability is also related to how the food has been produced, transported, stored, packaged, sold and consumed, and how waste is managed at all stages. These factors all need to be considered together, rather than focusing on one issue.