Award is the first level of accolade in the Responsible Business Awards, run by the charity Business in the Community
East of England Co-op has been recognised with a ‘Big Tick’ as part of the prestigious Responsible Business Awards 2014 –
The Big Tick is the first level of accolade in the Responsible Business Awards, run by the charity Business in the Community, which recognises businesses that are making a positive difference to society and to the environment.
The award organisers noted the way that East of England Co-op’s Sourced Locally programme has had a transformational effect on the regional economy since it began in 2007.
Through payments to local growers and producers, more than £24 million has been ploughed back into the local economy, and helped producers to create over 300 new jobs, as well as protecting many more.
Kevin Warden, local and fresh foods manager for East of England Co-op, said: “The success of Sourced Locally keeps growing and gaining the Big Tick again this year is great news. We’re always talking to new suppliers, and looking for new products to add to our shelves. We have saved food miles, encouraged local suppliers to work together and given customers the chance to buy products which are produced and grown in their area.”
A Big Tick is a leading endorsement of responsible business, and companies are awarded for initiatives tackling a range of issues: from stimulating local or rural communities, building long-term partnerships with schools, inspiring young talent, to embedding environmental sustainability into how products and services are used by customers.
Stephen Howard, chief executive at Business in the Community, said: “The Responsible Business Awards shine a much needed spotlight on the powerful impact of business. Each of the companies recognised are playing their part to build a new contract between business and society and a more sustainable future for us all. I congratulate the East of England Co-op for its’ Big Tick reaccreditation, which is a powerful symbol of business doing more to bring about change.”