River Cottage is an all around social enterprise. They have a restaurant, two schools (one for chefs and one just for amateurs or people who have an interest in learning for a specific event), a farm and various events. The for-profit company was founded by the renowned Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall in 2004. He's a celebrity chef, writer and TV personality that also participates in philanthropic ventures.
As a social enterprise, River Cottage considers its values to be central to the way in which they run business. Like some definitions of social business, rather than focusing solely on profit, much of the income is re-invested into continuing the mission. The site itself, Park Farm, was designed with sustainability at its core; it's a zero carbon and low energy venture.
Contact Information
River Cottage website
River Cottage on Facebook
River Cottage on Twitter
Sustainable Food Philosophies
River Cottage is a Social and Environmental Business
Trend Themes
1. Sustainable Agriculture Practices - A trend in sustainable agriculture practices to reduce carbon emissions and minimize environmental impact, which can be applied in the food industry through innovative farming and livestock practices.
2. Social Enterprises and Philanthropic Ventures - A trend in the development of social enterprises and philanthropic ventures, which align with consumers' growing ethical and environmental awareness, creating disruptive innovation opportunities for new business models and customer engagement strategies.
3. Low Energy and Zero Carbon Ventures - A trend towards low energy and zero carbon ventures, which can reduce a business's carbon footprint and costs while creating positive environmental and social impacts.
Industry Implications
1. Food and Beverage Industry - The food and beverage industry can embrace sustainable agriculture practices and social enterprises to reduce environmental impact and increase customer loyalty.
2. Hospitality Industry - The hospitality industry can adopt low energy and zero carbon ventures to improve sustainability and appeal to eco-conscious travelers.
3. Education and Training Industry - The education and training industry can develop programs and certifications for sustainable agriculture, social enterprises, and low energy/zero carbon ventures, providing a skilled workforce for these growing industries.