Riverford Organic

How ethical is Riverford Organic?

Riverford Organic is an organic food delivery company which has achieved an acceptable score on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Ethical Groceries Ratings Table but Ethical Accreditation has not yet been achieved. This is important because it provides additional approval on the company’s wider ethical, sustainable, and social policies and records.

Read more about the issues facing the Ethical Groceries sector and find out which companies have achieved accreditation for their commitment to being ethical and sustainable.

What does Riverford Organic do?

Riverford Organic is a UK-based organic vegetable box delivery company founded by Guy Singh-Watson in Devon in 1986. Starting from a small operation delivering around 30 boxes weekly to family and friends, the company has grown to deliver approximately 70,000 organic vegetable boxes each week nationwide. In 2018, Riverford became an employee-owned business, ensuring its ethical values would be protected. The company operates from farms in Devon and other UK locations, as well as a farm in France for early seasonal produce.

In which areas does Riverford Organic perform well?

Riverford Organic performs well in several environmental and sustainability categories. The company holds 100% organic certification from the Soil Association for all its produce. Riverford has implemented comprehensive sustainable practices, including a no-air-freight policy, with approximately 80% of vegetables being UK-grown across the year.

The company demonstrates strong environmental commitment through its packaging approach, using only paper or home compostable materials where packaging is needed, with cardboard boxes reused up to 10 times. Riverford is transitioning its entire delivery fleet to electric vehicles, with a target of 100% electric by 2025. The company has received multiple awards recognising its ethical approach, including the Observer’s Ethical Product of the Decade Award in 2015.

The above benchmark score that Riverford Organic is awarded on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Ethical Groceries Ratings Table is the result of an evaluation of multiple ethical criteria. Find out more about how we rate.

What can Riverford Organic do to improve its ethical score?

While Riverford Organic demonstrates strong environmental credentials, there is scope for improvement in supply chain transparency and detailed worker welfare reporting. The organic vegetable box sector has grown significantly, and enhanced transparency around supplier relationships and working conditions throughout the supply chain would strengthen Riverford’s ethical standing.

If it applies for Ethical Accreditation, The GOOD Shopping Guide would be able to offer some guidance on this to enable Riverford Organic to improve its score. If successful in its application, Riverford Organic would join the certified ethical brands leading the way in progressive and sustainable practices and be permitted to display The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Ethical Mark in its communications.

If you’re interested in learning more about achieving Ethical Accreditation for your brand, please contact us or complete a Free Initial Assessment form.