1.Balls to Not Using Plastic.

We are not anti plastic or all zero use plastic! It does so much good around the globe from treating the sick in hospitals to making sure food stays protected for longer, It needs to do this in some of the poorest countries to get to those who need it most. What we do believe is thinking about when you use plastic or any product. Could you use the plastic or glass bottle to make your own tomato sauce from your garden? Or forgo a plastic bag and put it under your hat or in your pocket? If we all took little steps imagine what could help. It all starts right here with us. All of us.

2. Balls to an Environmental Policy

Environment is the heartbeat of everything we do. It is part of it and can not be separated from the tapestry or we will never have a complete picture. There will be parts that are unpicked or we wished we had left but that is the beauty of a tapestry.

Every idea we have is checked against the environment from the recipes we create to how we travel to meet our diners and producers. We definitely haven’t got everything right - we don’t have an electric car yet and we still use foil to cover our mains for delivery as we look for a better solution. If you have one or have seen someone who does - please do let us know!

But we have worked hard to reduce air miles and make all our recipes zero waste or as close too. We use the natural world around us and reuse our hampers. We don’t use canvas bags for the plates but boxes left over in Supermarkets. We want to make sure there is real substance to everything we do. You have to use an Organic Canvas bag 20,000 times which is every day for 55 years to make it equal to one plastic bag. According to this report from Denmark

3. Balls to a Mental Health Policy

Mental Health is also at the heartbeat of what we do. It isn’t an add on. All of us are part of the change and we believe mental health should be a priority. Everyone in our team goes on a RHL Putting Mental Health First Course and we will continue to keep that at the centre as we grow.

Oh and you get two mental health days a year where you can just tell us “ this too will pass”.We get it but we still don’t know if this is the right way yet. Mental Health and the environment isn’t static so we are always evolving. Tell us if you have seen anyone do it really well or have any ideas.

We mean it when we say mental health is at our heartbeat. Our Co-Founder Imogen is a Director at Clarity Walks a CIC to help mental health by having a no phone walk. So you are completely disconnected from technology even just a few times a week. It is so simple yet works which is why GPs are prescribing and referring people across Scotland and companies like Purple Bricks support it and Age Concern and DWP are talking with us right now.

We also support two mental health gardens, the Abby Physic Garden and Trust Links by hosting our Magical Dining Experiences and our Mindful Cooking Classes donating 20% of all takings to them. We have also helped the Abby Physic Garden with fundraising applications. Imogen was also invited to write a chapter for Unlocked: From Surviving to Thriving curated by Sadie Hopson. Duncan has a great radio show about mental health sharing some of his own story here.

4. Balls to not knowing where you food comes from

We talk about our vegetables on the catwalk in fashion for that season. Fashion changes with the season and we want that to be second nature with food. We spotlight different food every month to get people excited with the seasons from Wild Garlic to Elderflower to Pheasant. We don’t believe it is ok not to know where your food comes from.

We all need to take responsibility for understanding the journey. We had no idea it was virtually impossible to grow two corns in our garden until 2020. We had to hand pollinate it but it did indeed grow. I definitely value corn farmers more now and will be using that sunny spot to grow a higher yield crop in our no dig garden.

No one has got all the answers. It's asking the questions and making it part of your normal day and having those discussions. You don’t need to be perfect! Listen to Duncan talk to Founder Susanna of the Goods Shed and Head Chef Raphael have a provocative and delightfully frank discussion.

5. It’s Banging to be Kind

It's a word that gets used when something awful happens and then slithers off never to be said again. Or a word to sometimes patronise but when it is pure it is a word that does so much good. If we can have a difficult discussion about eco systems, plastic, food and veganism. We can all learn. We won’t always agree or even be right but the important thing is to have the debates, the reflections while respecting each other. The Vegan Debate Duncan led on our Foodie Revolution Radio Show blows me away. Some hard conversations but so interesting. I am biased but one of the best I have heard.

We support local communities from giving local acts of kindness to people who support the community to sponsoring local community events and donating our time and prizes.

We sometimes get told off for not thinking big enough but we believe if we all think a little bit smaller we could achieve so much more.


Our Big Massive Pinch Me Dream

To start a Foodie Revolution from the Kitchen Table that goes global. For all the people, the companies and organisations to work together to create something truly special. No one company or organisation or person can do it on their own. They can do their part and make a difference but it is the little actions of all of us that will add up to the big change.

We talk a good talk about refugees but often feel powerless to do anything. Yet when the image in Greece of the child refugee washed up on the beach flashed around the world people identified as they could see it as them.

So we think one tree, one piece of woodland space at a time. To get to our big dream of owning woodland where our Foodie Revolutionaries and friends can run around free. As we grow the wild spaces perfect for Bees. Always reminding us of how mighty and feisty and loved this little creature is. We had to think of just one child or one adult not getting to enjoy that true magic of nature.

Want to be part of it? Email us and we will tell you as soon as our next step along the Foodie Revolution Path goes live.

Or send us your CV and tell us what you are looking for and why you want to be part of our Bangers and Balls Family.