“ Ten years ago I started a company called Duchy Originals. I wanted to demonstrate that it was possible to produce food of the highest quality, working in harmony with the environment and nature, using the best ingredients and adding value through expert production.
I also wanted to engender increasing funds for my Charitable Foundation, which receives all of the profits through which I can then support an increasing number of worthwhile projects.”
HRH The Prince of Wales commenting on the establishment of Duchy Originals in 2002
Duchy Originals history
Established by HRH The Prince of Wales in 1990.
Organic Pioneer - ‘Shop soiled Royal’.
Sourcing Oats from the Home Farm at Highgrove.
Oaten biscuit launched the brand in 1992 – 18 months to get the right recipe.
Baked by Walkers Shortbread in Scotland – the first Producer Company .
To support sustainable farming and food production.
Production of a premium range natural and healthy food and drink.
Sound husbandry - protect and sustain the countryside and wildlife.
Support for UK farmers and manufacturers.
Generate funds for The Prince of Wales’s charities.
‘ Virtuous Circle’.
Duchy Originals Aims
Charitable Donations
£1 million profit donated for three consecutive years.
Nearly £8 million has been donated to The Princes Charities Foundation.
Supported a variety of worthwhile causes over the past five years.
£400K donated to farmers affected by Foot & Mouth, Soil Association, HDRA, Affordable Rural Housing.
Where have we got to?
One of the UK’s largest Organic and Free Range food brands.
Nearly 300 SKU’s from biscuits to bacon to body care.
35 producers throughout the UK, primarily SME’s.
First factory opened in Cornwall in 2006 to produce pastry products.
Currently sold through all of the majors,
independent retailers and ten key export markets.
2005
Started a programme of Sustainable Development for both the Head Office and the Producer companies.
Needed help and advice and set up Sustainability Advisory Board.
Creating through our Producers, a unique network of businesses primarily SME’s leading the way in Sustainable Development .
What is Sustainable Development ?
Common Futures, Brundtland report. 1987
"Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It contains within it two key concepts: the concept of needs , in particular the essential needs of the world's poor, to which overriding priority should be given; and the idea of limitations imposed by the state of technology and social organization on the environment's ability to meet present and future needs.“
What is Sustainable Development?
“ If it isn’t sustainable then it is unsustainable.”
Sustainable Development is simultaneous development in three pillars all at the same time. Economy Environment Society Not as a result of trade offs between one or more pillars.
Producers are primarily SME’s
Unique problems
Lack of time.
Lack of expertise.
The 4e diamond approach Catalyses Sustainable Action Provide the producer an understanding of the concept of SD Identify their quick wins to start their sustainable programmes. Provide links to sustainability information and relevant website sites. Enable Develop producer networks. Engage Visit regularly. Provide newsletters. Identify current sustainable actions. Encourage Show cost benefits of sustainability. Exemplify Duchy Originals to lead by example.
TASTES GOOD IS GOOD DOES GOOD Going beyond Organic
Tastes Good...
Best natural and organic ingredients
Only free range animals
Made with care
Is Good...
No artificial fertilisers or pesticides
Does good...
Preserving wildlife and landscapes
Supporting charities
Good Food Charter
Minimising environmental footprint
Local sourcing
Less packaging
Treating people fairly
Communicating sustainability Profits to charity Provenance stories Good Food Charter FSC board Go to web for info Profits to charity
Challenges we’ve faced
The retailers generally want only one premium offering.
They are not promoting Organic which is viewed as expensive and hasn’t been helped with the recent FSA nutritional survey.
Promotion of specific alternatives as opposed to Organic with Fairtrade and Freedom foods.
Dealing with the attitude that Organic is a single
interest subject in a complex market.
Going forward
Businesses who've taken sustainability on board agree that sustainability issues are key business issues.
Sustainability actions really do mean efficiencies, savings and new opportunities.
Values still matter, internally and for consumers.
The recession may deliver short-term losses, but in the long term we still need to grapple with the big issues, and unlimited growth will not deliver sustainability.
A quote from the Forum for the Future publication Are you a leader business? “ A sustainable business is the end goal and sustainable development is the process by which we get there.”
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