Corporate Ethics & Social Responsibility Policy

Crowbond Foodservice recognises its legal and moral responsibility to trade ethically and is committed to open, sustainable, and ethical business practices. Our approach to being an ethically responsible and sustainable business falls into the following categories:  

• Longstanding, committed relationships with our customers and suppliers, 
• Our people 
• Helping the local community 

• Safeguarding the environment 

Our policies are part of our business culture and values, and our belief is in always endeavouring to do the right thing. We never compromise on our obligations to our employees, customers, the communities in which we work or the wider environment. 

 Committed Relationships 

Our focus on partnership working with both customers and suppliers provides the foundation of our success. For over 40 years of trading we have developed a deep-rooted understanding of the needs of our customers and supplier partners, we are clear about our role in supporting suppliers and customers by purchasing and supplying good quality and sustainable produce and we are always looking for continuous improvements on all levels of our relationships. 

 People 
Our staff are our most important asset, and we recognise their commitment and service to our company, and we treat them with respect at all times.  
 

It is the Company’s policy to conform to all employment standards required by law. 

 Employment with the company is freely chosen and there is no forced, bonded, or involuntary labour.  Workers are never required to lodge “deposits” or their legal papers with us and they are free to leave their employment at any time upon giving notice. 

 All employees are provided with written and understandable Information about their employment conditions before they enter employment.  

 The Company believes in paying its employees a fair wage and pays above the national minimum wage in all cases. All employees receive payslips at the end of each pay period.  

Working hours are in line with Working Time Regulations 1998. 

 Deductions from wages as a disciplinary measure are not permitted nor shall any deductions from wages not provided for by national law be permitted without the expressed permission of the worker concerned.   

 There are full disciplinary and grievance procedures in place which are communicated prior to employment and all disciplinary measures are recorded. 

 We protect the health and safety of not only our staff and our customers but also, where our business practices impact them, the general public.  All hazards within the work environment and associated risks are assessed and hazards are eliminated or reduced to acceptable levels.  
 

All of our staff are trained through an induction programme to ensure they have the best possible start in their role within our operations and we provide ongoing training for all staff in food safety and health & safety and other aspects of their roles to ensure their continued learning and personal development.  

 We are committed to attracting staff members from diverse backgrounds.  The Company does not discriminate on grounds of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race (including colour, nationality and ethnic or national origins), religion or belief, sex and/or sexual orientation and we support our staff at all stages of their working lives. 

 The company recognises employees right to bargain independently or to join or form trade unions of their own choosing and bargain collectively and we adopt and open attitude towards the activities of trade unions and their organisational activities.  Representatives are not discriminated against and have access to carry out their representative functions in the workplace.   

 The Company does not employ, tolerate or condone child labour either in its business or its supplier’s business.  

 Community 

We are proud to actively support our chosen charity City Harvest   In order to reduce food waste, we donate products with a short shelf-life to City Harvest located at New Spitalfields Market so that this can be distributed to local charities.  

 Environment 

We are committed to being a responsible company and taking a leadership role in preserving our planet for future generations.   

We source our products from environmentally responsible suppliers and aim to reduce our overall carbon footprint through our supply chain. 

We recycle all eligible waste products and encourage our customers to recycle where possible. 

We are committed to reducing our energy consumption by using energy-efficient appliances and turning off all electronics when not in use and we are replacing all the florescent lighting throughout the premises with low energy LED lighting and have also installed motion sensors to reduce the need for lighting in lower traffic areas. 

Located within New Spitalfields Market means that we can hand select fresh fruit and vegetables every night so that they are fresh for you when we deliver the next morning.  This also means that we start reducing food miles as soon as we receive your order.   

All delivery routes are planned to reduce the miles travelled and the engines on vans are turned off to reduce the emissions.  

We are moving towards a paperless company by embracing new technologies throughout the business. 

We are committed to investigating and implementing new ways to reduce our environmental impact every year and we promote environmental awareness among our employees, stakeholders, clients, and suppliers, and encourage them to join and support our initiatives.