Spotlight on….Essential Trading Co-operative

Brenda writes…

Later today we are running a competiton, which has kindly been donated by Essential Trading Co-operative. 

I managed to catch up with Eli Sarre, who is the Marketing Director from Essential Trading Co-operative and talk about the company and it´s history.

In business since 1971Essential is a vegetarian and vegan brand, that contains no colours, flavours or modifiers. The products and brand are traceable and wholesome, packed with goodness and nothing else.  .

Eli says “The conception of our co-operative came from a belief in the inherent goodness of the products that we sell, and it was the strength of this belief that has carried the business forward.  There was also an objective to sell affordable wholefood to those on a low income.  We believe that through the co-operative business model and by working with communities that we can use sustainable living to improve quality of life for everyone across the globe”.

They have a wide range of organic store cupboard essentials and are rapidly developing their fairtrade product range and actively source products from co-operatives and sustainable communities.

The real star of 2008 has been their trio of fairtrade organic chocolate spreads, which have won awards from Natural Products and from the Soil Association.

Eli´s favourite green luxury item is Faith in Nature bodycare range.  The products are all genuinely natural, made in the UK, and brilliant if you have sensitive skin.  They are ecologically sound and are just lovely to use.  Essential Trading are a wholesaler for this range, so Eli is lucky to have this within striking distance.

Eli´s hot green tip is, for the more squeamish composters, check out the new biodegradable compostable carrier bags.  They are GM free and break down within a 12 week period, and make composting at home, just a little bit more pleasant.

To relax, Eli finds this difficult as the mind is always 5 steps ahead, planning new projects etc.  Biodynamic herbal teas is the latest discovery and one for a chilled out day.

Please note, you can view their products on their website but to buy check their list of stockists.

Check out Essential Tradings post fairtrade advice here.

Related posts:

1. Competition: Win a chocolate goodie pack worth £20 from Essential Trading Co-operative
2. Fairtrade advice from Essential Trading
3. Ethical Supplier Essential Trading Celebrates Ruby Anniversary Year
4. Changing Five Essential Items In Your Weekly Shop Can Support Over 200,000 Families
5. Essential Organic Italian Tomato Range

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