• Sustainability •

Our Commitment to Sustainability

Thoughtful Food, Responsible Choices

Sustainability isn’t a slogan for us — it’s simply how we work.
Since opening in 2009, The De Beauvoir Deli has taken a practical, everyday approach to reducing waste, supporting small suppliers and running a neighbourhood café with as light a footprint as possible.

We believe great food should sit comfortably alongside good decisions: sourcing responsibly, minimising packaging, and choosing quality ingredients that support people, farms and ecosystems.

Supporting Small Producers & Better Agriculture

We work closely with independent farmers, bakers, cheesemakers and growers who prioritise animal welfare, soil health and sustainable farming. Most of our fresh produce is sourced from trusted suppliers within the UK, with seasonal ingredients guiding much of our menu.

Our deli shelves are filled with makers we admire — businesses that share our values, produce in small batches, and focus on provenance over mass production.

Reducing Waste, Every Day

Waste reduction is built into our workflow:

  • Food waste: We plan menus carefully, repurpose ingredients brilliantly, and donate usable surplus wherever possible.

  • Packaging: We favour recyclable, compostable or reusable packaging, and continually review suppliers to reduce plastics.

  • Coffee & kitchen waste: All our used coffee grounds and food prep waste are disposed of responsibly, with ongoing improvements to composting and recycling.

Responsible Energy Use & Equipment

As we’ve grown, we’ve invested in modern kitchen equipment that is more efficient and reliable. From induction hobs to energy-efficient refrigeration, we continue to upgrade our systems in ways that reduce consumption without compromising quality or speed of service.

A Local Business With a Community Mindset

Being a neighbourhood deli means looking after the place we call home. We support local charities, community events, schools and small enterprises. Many of our team live nearby, walk to work, and contribute ideas on how we can run the deli more responsibly.

Our aim is simple: to serve good food, treat people well, and leave the smallest footprint we reasonably can.

Always Improving

Sustainability isn’t a finish line — it’s ongoing.
We review our supply chain regularly, explore new low-impact packaging options, and invest in equipment that helps us work cleaner and more efficiently.

As The De Beauvoir Deli grows, so does our responsibility. We’re committed to doing better, step by step.

 

We work hard to make sure the products we stock are ethically sourced and socially responsible. We work with independent, small scale, local producers that use traditional methods and the best seasonal ingredients. Around half the food we sell is now produced in-house, which reduces waste, packaging and transport.

Our fruit and vegetable offering always echoes what’s in season and we will never buy produce from abroad that’s available from UK growers



Almost all of our packaging is fully biodegradable. This includes all our coffee packaging and carrier bags. The remainder is commercially compostable. We are also part of a reusable drinks cup scheme by Reuser

All our food waste goes to composte and the majority of our remaining refuse is recycled.

Our electricity is 100% renewable and our van is fully electric.

We're passionate about animal welfare and only stock free range fresh meats for retail and as ingredients in our sandwiches. The sausage meat in our scotch eggs and sausage rolls is free range, as is the ham, bacon and chicken in our sandwiches.

We are a keen supporter of local events and good causes, making regular contributions to school and community fundraising.

We are a London Living Wage employer and prioritise the wellbeing and development of our staff.