Stocked

How ethical is STOCKED?

STOCKED is a frozen meal delivery company which has not achieved The GOOD Shopping Guide’s ethical benchmark on our Ethical Recipe Boxes Ratings Table and therefore cannot be classed as an ethical company based on its current practices and policies.

Companies that fall below the benchmark often demonstrate insufficient commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices across key areas. We recommend consumers consult our Ethical Recipe Boxes Ratings Table to find companies above the benchmark with Ethical Accreditation.

What does STOCKED do?

STOCKED is a UK-based frozen meal delivery company founded in 2021 by childhood friends Sam Moss and Charlie Gilpin. The company produces chef-cooked meals frozen into portion-controlled blocks, with eight blocks per pack providing 2-4 meals. Starting from Moss’s mother’s kitchen, the company moved to using a pie kitchen after hours before securing its own production facility in north-west London. In February 2024, STOCKED secured £50,000 investment from Dragons’ Den investor Steven Bartlett for a 6% stake, valuing the company at over £800,000. The company sold more than 400,000 blocks in 2023, growing 300% to reach an annualised run rate exceeding £1 million.

Why does STOCKED fail to meet the benchmark?

STOCKED scores below The GOOD Shopping Guide’s ethical benchmark primarily due to critical gaps in organic certification, carbon-neutral delivery operations, and the absence of Ethical Accreditation.

The company receives a bottom rating for organic products. STOCKED has not achieved independent organic certification for its ingredients, which is essential for brands committed to sustainable agriculture and environmental stewardship in the food delivery sector. Organic farming practices protect natural resources, encourage wildlife, and reduce reliance on chemical pesticides—standards STOCKED has not demonstrated meeting.

STOCKED also receives a bottom rating for transportation. The company does not provide carbon-neutral deliveries, presenting a significant gap in environmental responsibility. The UK household food waste sector faces significant challenges, and while STOCKED’s portion-controlled blocks may help reduce household food waste, the company’s delivery carbon footprint remains unaddressed. In the recipe box sector where transportation directly impacts environmental performance, the absence of carbon-neutral operations falls short of benchmark standards.

STOCKED receives a middle rating for plant-based options. While the company offers some vegetarian and vegan meals, these products lack independent certification or verification. Without third-party validation of ingredient lists and vegan claims, STOCKED cannot demonstrate the highest standards in plant-based food provision.

The company also lacks Ethical Accreditation, which would provide independent verification of its ethical practices and policies across all business operations. Without this certification, consumers cannot be assured that STOCKED meets comprehensive ethical standards beyond individual criteria.

What does STOCKED do well?

STOCKED receives top ratings for several important criteria. The company demonstrates good environmental reporting practices, with transparent information about its operations and sustainability efforts. STOCKED avoids involvement in the fossil fuels industry and nuclear power, receiving top scores in both categories. The company also performs well regarding animal welfare standards, armaments, and political donations, indicating responsible corporate behaviour in these areas. STOCKED shows no public record criticisms, suggesting the company operates without major ethical controversies.

What can STOCKED do to improve?

To meet The GOOD Shopping Guide’s benchmark, STOCKED must address its bottom ratings as a priority. The company should pursue independent organic certification for ingredients, demonstrating commitment to sustainable agriculture and environmental protection. Achieving certified organic sourcing would significantly strengthen STOCKED’s ethical profile in the recipe box sector.

STOCKED must implement carbon-neutral delivery operations or verified carbon offsetting across all distribution. This is critical for any food delivery company committed to reducing environmental impact. The company should publish transparent data on delivery emissions and demonstrate measurable progress toward carbon neutrality.

STOCKED should secure independent verification for all vegetarian and vegan product claims through recognised certification bodies. Third-party validation would provide consumers with confidence that plant-based options meet the highest standards.

Most importantly, STOCKED should apply for Ethical Accreditation from The GOOD Shopping Guide. If successful, STOCKED would be able to display The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Ethical Mark on its packaging and marketing materials, making it instantly recognisable to consumers as a verified ethical brand. This mark helps shoppers quickly identify companies that have been independently audited and certified for their commitment to ethical and sustainable practices, removing the guesswork from ethical purchasing decisions. The accreditation process would also provide STOCKED with specific guidance on improving its ethical performance across all criteria.

Consumers seeking ethical recipe box and frozen meal options should consult companies above the benchmark on our Ethical Recipe Boxes Ratings Table, particularly those with Ethical Accreditation. Find out more about how we rate brands on ethical criteria.