Rodda’s secures B Corp accreditation

Rodda’s, the UK’s Cornish clotted cream producer, has started off 2022 by securing the highly sought-after B-Corp status, thanks to its exceptional community initiatives. The rigorous year-long certification process covers the entirety of a business’ operations, ensuring the highest social and environmental standards are met.

Rodda’s mission since 1890 has been driven by a passion for Cornwall and community, and it’s these values that embed their commitment to purpose beyond profit. Passionate about supporting local farming families, Rodda’s carefully selects farms within a 30-mile radius of the creamery to supply the finest milk. Each is required to pass their bespoke farm assurance, covering animal welfare to the highest level. In return they are offered support and advice, and a fair price for their milk. This sustained investment in the local farming community over the past five years, has contributed over £100 million to Cornwall’s economy. Rodda’s continues to work with over 40 Cornish farming families.

“None of this would be possible without our wonderful team,” managing director Nicholas Rodda explains. “Our people are the most important part of our business, it’s the dedication of our staff that is the real magic ingredient, and why it’s so important to invest in them”. As well as encouraging staff to learn new skills and experience other areas of the business, Rodda’s latest initiative sees creation of The Sensory Garden – a dedicated outdoor area for staff to take a mindful break surrounded by wildflowers. The space aims to enhance personal wellbeing and encourage pollinators too.

“We are always challenging ourselves to do better, and this accreditation, which rubberstamps the work we’ve always done, marks a defining moment in the company’s development.” Explains Nicholas Rodda. “The journey to becoming B-Corp accredited has been a fun, yet challenging process, covering all areas of our business from our farmers, suppliers, community, environment and our people. Certification reflects our exceptional team, and we are immensely proud to now be part of the B Corp community.”

Each year, Rodda’s donates products, time and financial contributions to local and national charities and organisations. Over the past five years, their work with The Cream Tea Society has helped to raise money for worthy causes by donating up to 50,000 portions of Cornish clotted cream and jam on National Cream Tea Day every year.

Throughout 2021 Rodda’s senior management team donated over 100 hours of their time to volunteer in the community. Highlights included supporting a gardening and DIY project, which was run by Volunteer Cornwall and Macmillian Cancer Support.

The Rodda’s team lent a helping hand, over two days, clearing an overgrown garden for 87-year-old Nora, who lives in St Austell, and has been affected by cancer over the last two years. Following treatment and shielding during the pandemic, she no longer had the energy to be able to keep on top of her garden.

Further initiatives have seen the team launch running clubs, charity bike rides, arranging events such as a Macmillan Coffee morning and providing local donations of clotted cream to care homes at Christmas.

In the past year, Rodda’s has also donated over 38 traditional milk churns that were once used by the business, to a local charity project to help raise money for Cornwall Hospice Care. These churns have been painted by Cornish artists, and will form part of a trail across Cornwall, launching in 2022, showcasing the artist’s work. These churns will then be auctioned to raise money for the charity.

The Rodda’s family says it will continually strive to do better for its team, the planet, and the people within it, as they further embed into the B-Corp community in 2022 and beyond.