Said to be the first holistic and spiritual centre in the UK to receive the award, five stars is the highest rating possible and “assures customers that they are eating and drinking from a menu made up of between 15% and 100% certified organic products.”
Sanctuary manager Tony Clarkson said: “Our mission is to create an environment of tranquillity, health and joy for our guests, and the food we serve is a huge part of this.
“We want to offer the best organic, locally and ethically sourced sustenance we can. This award demonstrates our commitment to quality and to food that nourishes our customers’ mind, body and spirit”
Despite a 6% increase in the total UK organic market in 2017 and +10.2% rise in organic sales in the foodservice industry, 48% of Brits don’t believe there are enough places serving sustainable or ethically sourced dishes, Soil Association research found. A further 43% said organic food makes a restaurant more appealing.
Sarah Jupp, the Soil Association business development manager, added: “It is brilliant to have a centre like the Sanctuary of Healing on the (Organic Served Here) scheme. Its dedication to organic shows that it’s not just traditional cafés and restaurants where consumers are seeking out organic food.
“As organic food sales increase, consumers are becoming more engaged in the origins of their food. Many people don’t realise but organic must legally be certified at every stage of production, which means that it is food you can trust.
“The Soil Association checks the organic served is certified organic that you can trust, and confirms how much is on the menu…It always means fewer pesticides, no artificial additives and preservatives, always free range, no routine use of antibiotics, and no GM ingredients. Simply put, organic is food as it should be.”