Houston & Hawkes achieves top sustainable food rating

Independent, B Corp caterer, Houston & Hawkes, has received three stars – the highest possible rating – in its first Food Made Good Standard assessment, one of the world’s top evaluations for sustainable foodservice.

Awarded by The Sustainable Restaurant Association (The SRA), the Food Made Good Standard, is a 360-degree assessment that evaluates impact across three main pillars: Sourcing, Society and Environment. Since launching in 2010, it has been used to assess and certify the sustainability of more than 15,000 sites globally.

Achieving three stars in a first assessment places Houston & Hawkes among a small group of foodservice businesses to reach the top rating from the outset.

The assessment highlighted Houston & Hawkes’ sourcing credentials, with more than 90 per cent of produce sourced within 50 miles of London and suppliers chosen for their approach to animal welfare, biodiversity and responsible farming. The business works with trusted British producers including The Estate Dairy and Angry Monk, while more than 95 per cent of its seafood comes from sustainably rated sources.

Its social credentials were judged to be equally strong. Houston & Hawkes supports staff wellbeing through an Employee Assistance Programme and has signed the Mindful Employer Charter. The business works with social enterprise suppliers including Nemi Tea, Breadwinners and The Gay Farmer, as well as funding 50,000 school breakfasts through charity Magic Breakfast and cooking for people experiencing homelessness through community kitchen Refettorio Felix.

The SRA also noted the business’ environmental commitments. Houston & Hawkes has achieved net zero emissions across Scope 1 and Scope 2 and is on track to achieve net zero Scope 3 emissions by 2040 through its commitment to the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).

This recognition adds to a string of recent achievements for Houston & Hawkes, which earlier this year received a King’s Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development and whose co-founders were named winners of the Foodservice Caterer Award at the Cateys 2026 in July.

James Carr, Head of Safety & ESG at Houston & Hawkes, said: “The Food Made Good Standard is one of the most respected sustainability assessments in our industry, so achieving the highest three-star rating at our first attempt is something we’re incredibly proud of. It reflects the passion and commitment of our teams, who work every day to source responsibly, reduce our environmental impact and create positive social value. This recognition isn’t the finish line – it’s a benchmark that will help drive the next phase of our sustainability journey.”

Juliane Caillouette Noble, CEO of The Sustainable Restaurant Association, commented: “This is an amazing first result for Houston & Hawkes, reflecting a thorough and thoughtful approach to operations. This includes sourcing responsibly from local suppliers, playing an active role in their community and reducing their environmental impact through practical initiatives like eliminating single-use plastics. Three stars in a first assessment is a real achievement, and we look forward to seeing the team build on this strong foundation.”