| Infinity Foods | |
| Company type | Worker co-operative |
| Industry | WholesalerRetailer |
| Founded | 1971 (1971) |
| Headquarters | , United Kingdom |
Area served | United Kingdom |
| Products | Whole food,organic food and natural products |
| Website | www |
Infinity Foods Workers Co-operative Ltd., is an independent wholefood business based inBrighton,[1] specializing invegetarian,Fairtrade,organic, ethical,[2] andnatural food and products.[3]
In 1971, Peter Deadman, Jenny Deadman and Robin Bines, openedInfinity Foods, a small retail shop located in a converted terraced house on Church Street, Brighton.[4] It was an alternative food retailer, selling organic and natural foods.[5] A growing demand for organic food as a lifestyle choice was reflected the organic farming growth in the 1970s.[6]
In 1973, the shop moved to its current site on North Road, Brighton,[7] where it opened a wholesale operation and bakery[8][better source needed]. Infinity Foods operated informally as aworker cooperative. This is a business where the employees are the owners and collectively manage the company. They have a democratic say in decision-making and share the profits generated by the business, controlling their own workplace through shared ownership and governance.[7]
It was formalized legally as a worker cooperative in 1979 under the regulations of theIndustrial Common Ownership Movement and established as Infinity Foods Cooperative Ltd.[9] a company owned and collectively managed by its workers.[10]
In 1985, a separate wholesale division of the business, Infinity Foods Wholesale, was established and now operates from a warehouse outside of Brighton inShoreham-by-Sea.[7]
Food surplus redistribution is an attempt to reducefood waste at source. Surpluses can arise for different reasons including food incorrectly labelled, over-ordered, over-supplied, obsolete seasonal stock and damaged packaging.[11] Infinity Foods contributes food and goods to food distribution charities in Brighton[2] including Brighton and Hove Food Partnership.[12]
TheSoil Association Certification. The Soil Association is the UK's largest organic certification body, offering comprehensive standards for a wide range of products including food and drink.[13]