Milton Keynes company that supplies Tesco has shed a load of plastic packaging to become carbon neutral

Cranswick Convenience Foods has become PVC free and also reduced food waste by 20 per cent.

The company, which is based in Snelshall West, provides cooked meat to retailers all over the UK.

They are part of Cranswick UK, which produces produce fresh pork, gourmet sausages, cooked meat, air-dried bacon, premium cooked poultry, charcuterie, sandwiches and gourmet pastry products.

Site Director Sam Pearl said the Milton Keynes factory had reduced emissions by 50 per cent and invested in improving food security in some of the world’s poorest communities

It has invested in more efficient equipment and machinery, is generating its own electricity and most of its heat and steam, and has switched to entirely renewable electricity .

All this has helped the site eliminate 5,421 tonnes of carbon emissions since 2016.

Sam said: “Despite this being one of the toughest years we will have known, we’ve worked hard to drive efficiency and reductions as much as possible – and I am unbelievably proud to announce that our Milton Keynes site is now Carbon Neutral.

"A huge amount of credit for this work must go to our amazing team here, they have all been driving forces behind this achievement with a huge desire to support our people, planet and local community whilst running a successful business. As we continue to invest in our long-term Net Zero aims, it is an exciting time for all employees and anybody considering joining us.”

The MK Cranswick team is also investing in tree-planting with the Doddington Woodland Restoration Project – the largest woodland restoration project in the UK for 30 years.

A second project backed by the site, Portel-Para in the Amazon, helps forest-based communities access training and education, as well as protect the vital eco-systems and carbon sinks that are critical in the fight against climate change.

Finally, the Milton Keynes site is supporting the Toyola Cookstoves project in Ghana, which is designed to reduce deforestation and improve the health, wellbeing and food security of local communities.

Seeing increased food poverty due to Covid, the company has provided additional food to several charities to feed children missing out on school meals. It has also established a new partnership with a local homeless charity to be able to offer employment opportunities to vulnerable and long-term unemployed groups to tackle the root causes of food poverty.