Sustainability & Ethics Statement

At Happy Larder Co, we are committed to making responsible choices that support environmental sustainability while recognising our role as a small business in the global supply chain. Our ingredients are sourced through carefully established relationships with supply partners who demonstrate shared commitment to quality, sustainability, and ethical standards. We prioritise working with smallholder farms, organic growers, and suppliers who hold respected certifications, including Rainforest Alliance, Fairtrade, Fair for Life, FairWild, and organic standards. Our approach centres on continuous improvement - both in our own practices and in strengthening partnerships with like-minded suppliers. We champion loose-leaf teas to help reduce single-use waste, use eco-friendly packaging designed to be reused, recycled, and biodegradable, and handcraft our products in small batches to minimise waste and maximise quality and freshness.

Ethical Standards Statement

We believe that ethical sourcing requires transparency about both our capabilities and limitations as a small business. While we cannot personally monitor every aspect of complex global supply chains, we are committed to making informed choices and working with partners we trust - a priority given the challenges historically faced within the tea industry.  Our approach centres on building long-term relationships with partners who share our values of fair treatment, economic empowerment (particularly for women in farming communities), and responsible business practices. We recognise that ethical sourcing is an ongoing journey, and we remain committed to continuous improvement and transparent communication about our progress and challenges along the way.

Our Commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals

We are proud to align our efforts with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), with particular focus on areas where our business can create meaningful impact:

Goal 1 - No Poverty: Tea and herbal production provides livelihoods for millions of families worldwide. By supporting smallholder farms and fairer trade practices, we contribute to economic stability for farming communities.

Goal 2 - Zero Hunger: By sourcing from smallholder farms, we help ensure sustainable income that supports food security for farming families and their communities.

Goal 3 - Good Health and Well-being: Both traditional teas and herbal wellness blends promote physical and mental well-being, supporting a more holistic approach to health and encouraging connection with nature’s benefits.

Goal 5 — Gender Equality: Tea and herb cultivation often provides vital employment for women in rural communities. We prioritise partners who actively empower women within the industry and ensure fair working conditions. Beyond sourcing, our mission has always been about more than just tea - we support initiatives that create real opportunities, security, and economic independence for women and girls worldwide. Through our charitable partnerships, we proudly contribute to projects led by women, for women, helping vulnerable women and girls build safer, more empowered futures.

Goal 8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth: Our supply partnerships help create jobs and support economic growth in rural communities, fostering sustainable livelihoods.

Goal 10 - Reduced Inequalities: By working with suppliers who maintain direct relationships with smallholder farms and support fairer trade practices, we contribute to reducing economic inequalities between producers and consumers.

Goal 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production: We promote sustainable production through careful supplier selection, small-batch manufacturing, eco-friendly packaging, and encouraging responsible consumption habits through high-quality loose-leaf teas over disposable teabags.

Goal 15 - Life on Land: Where possible, we support suppliers who prioritise sustainable growing practices that promote biodiversity, protect ecosystems, and encourage responsible land management. We recognise that sustainable agriculture benefits both farmers and the environment, while acknowledging that for many smallholder farms, this remains a work in progress.