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Social Pantry, the London-based independent caterer led by Alex Head is delighted to announce that it has achieved B Corp certification.
Achieving one of the highest B Corp scores in UK hospitality, Social Pantry is now officially verified as ‘a company that meets high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability’, making it part of the B Corp global movement that uses business as a force for good.
Alex Head started Social Pantry in 2011 out of her passion for getting people together over good food and it has become London’s go-to catering company, serving fresh, exciting and sustainable food at a whole host of unique events, exclusive venues and workplaces across London and beyond.
Social Pantry’s mission is, and always has been, to deliver extraordinary food while bringing about meaningful change. The caterer has long been noted for its advocacy of social and environmental issues and the team constantly strives to create exceptional experiences in both a socially and environmentally conscious way.
A B Corp assessment evaluates impact across five pillars—governance, workers, community, environment, and customers—using a scoring system based on the company’s social and environmental performance. To achieve certification, a company must meet rigorous standards, score at least 80, and agree to transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement. Companies are required to recertify every three years.
Having worked with sustainability consultancy Bold Green Strategies throughout the process, Social Pantry was able to unlock the Impact Business Model for Workforce Development during the B Impact Assessment. This allowed them to expand on their social impact work, notably prison leaver employment and training. The company has also incorporated social and environmental values at the core of its management structure, and into all job roles and responsibilities at the recruitment stage.
Alex Head, Founder and CEO of Social Pantry said: “I couldn’t be happier or more proud to announce Social Pantry’s B Corp certification. This recognition reflects everything we stand for—our commitment to sustainability, social responsibility, and creating a more inclusive future. I couldn’t have done this without our incredible team, our suppliers, and, of course, all of our clients who have chosen to work with us along the way. Together, we’re not only serving up great food—we’re creating positive change, one plate at a time and we can’t wait to continue pushing forwards with our mission, working towards new and even more impactful goals, like becoming Net Zero. Bring it on.”
Nash Gierak, Director of Bold Green Strategies commented: “Social Pantry are an ideal candidate for B Corp certification; they aren’t afraid to do things differently. Their impactful work with prison leavers, and meaningful investment in sustainability, has earned them one of the highest B Corp scores in UK hospitality. Working with Alex and the team long-term means we really understand the unique nature of the business. We used that insight to strategise towards a score that captures—and does justice to—the Social Pantry mission. The team have worked so hard to make this happen, and we are incredibly proud to have achieved this milestone with them.”
Social Pantry view food-related emissions and waste as two of the most important environmental issues facing catering, events, and hospitality. This is embraced by reimagining waste, creating innovative dishes that repurpose discards, and utilising preserving techniques. Social Pantry operate a zero-to-landfill waste hierarchy, which includes an onsite biodigester, separate waste streams, and First Mile gold-certified recycling rates. By tracking key data points in these areas, they are poised to meet their Net Zero targets.
The caterer has also taken sustainable steps outside of the kitchen too, like removing global plastic polluters from the drinks menus and ushering in brands that are better aligned with Social Pantry’s ethos, by divesting from fossil fuels, switching to renewable energy, investing in electric vehicles and using a fossil fuel-free ethical pension fund.
Social Pantry is proud to be the leading employer of prison leavers in the hospitality industry and began working within the prison system in 2015, offering training, mentorship and employment opportunities for those inside and leaving prison. As well as being on the Employment Board at HMP Wandsworth, Alex and her team opened up a new Social Pantry café and training facility inside HMP/YOI Feltham. This is a huge step towards achieving Social Pantry’s ultimate goal of securing employment for the young people on the inside, because it creates a more seamless pathway for entry into the team at Social Pantry HQ.
As a Living Wage Foundation-accredited employer Social Pantry prioritise social mobility and provide valuable training to all staff, which now includes a specialist Carbon Literacy training programme. B Corp take note of underrepresented founders and considers management and supplier radius, Social Pantry is a locally-owned woman-led business operating and intentionally sourcing in and around the London area.
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