Carbon Charter GOLD – because life is precious

In confirming our Carbon Charter GOLD accreditation for 2023, Peter Frost wroye:

“Following Stokes Sauces’ assessment in March 2023, I am delighted to inform you the Charter Panel approved accreditation at Gold Level.”

The Gold Charter is only awarded to organisations deemed to be exemplifying best practice in terms of demonstrating significant potential reductions in carbon emissions and championing the environmental agenda.

Peter went on to say:

“The Panel was impressed by the carbon saving actions that the business has implemented; improvements and upgrades have provided a 17% decrease in carbon emissions despite an increase in turnover. The Panel also noted further complimented actions such as all company cars being upgraded to electric and strong support of various local & international charities.”

Naturally, we are delighted that our efforts and passions are achieving our goals and being recognised.

They also noted the longer term environmental pioneering growing from Rick’s personal drive for ‘a better life on a sustainably better planet‘.

Newsletters frequently encourage our youngsters to re-use, explore and enjoy natural habitats; and for parents to re-use, recycle and protect.

In Rick’s own words:

“Our planet is precious, we don’t own it, we share it and have a responsibility to protect it.

“We are facing a monumental plastic problem on a global scale and our responsibility to do more when it comes to reducing our plastic usage has not gone away. We all have a responsibility to abolish waste in the world and that is our target at Stokes Sauces.”

Customers had been asking for squeezable sauce bottles for a long time – understandably, as 97% of tomato ketchup bought in the UK is sold in squeezy bottles.

When we launched our squeezy range in 2019, it was after 4 years finding an ethical manufacturer and working with them to create a 100% recyclable squeezable bottle before giving it the ‘Stokes’ badge of Taste, Quality & Responsibility.

The Old Stables, Rendlesham, is a unique, inspirational environment, an artisanal idyll – perfect for creating exceptional sauces.

We care about our people and, unusually, the many animals seeking sanctuary here too.

The walled gardens behind the Old Stables is home to a growing menagerie of rescued animals. Pigs, sheep, peacocks, hens, geese; rheas & emus, cats & dogs; Bennett’s wallabies, cattle & goats – all happily sharing their peaceful new lives.

As part of Rick’s drive to carbon neutrality, as well as his love for trees, he has undertaken a large replanting project on the estate.

It’s a great place to make great sauces.

Read more about our Environment & Community thinking – HERE.

Part of Suffolk’s ‘Greenest County’ project conducted a survey on the values of woodlands and open spaces for boosting wellbeing.

90% of respondents strongly support the idea of establishing ‘healing woods’ in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The creation of healing woods and spaces will give more people better access to the natural environment, offering dedicated places for peaceful reflection and offering a positive focus.

By coincidence, some 16 or so years ago, Rick was running in the ‘primeval oak woodland’ of Staverton Forest.

It was here that Rick found peace and inspiration. He could reflect on core values of quality, compassion and excellence – and the home of fine sauce-making was born.

You really can ‘love’ the products you make and be ‘passionate’ about making them as superbly as they really should be.

But what to call this fledgling business?

‘Staverton & Oaks’. Too long they thought, what about St-Oaks.

No, they said … try Stokes.

And, if you haven’t already, go on – try Stokes !