1992 – Phil’s Better Food Campaign
At a time when food and farming were increasingly associated with mass production, artificial inputs, processing and prices that were crippling British farms, Phil Haughton set up an organic delivery box scheme—Phil’s Better Food Campaign—from his own kitchen in Bristol’s St. Werburghs. He was driven by an unshakable belief that organic farming held the key to healing the soil, providing a real living for farmers and reuniting people in the celebration of food.

1992 – 2002 – from kitchen to community hub
Over the next decade, Phil’s home start-up moved from kitchen to stable to warehouse to bigger warehouse, expanding its range of offerings and cultivating a strong reputation as the destination for ethically sourced food in Bristol, and drawing people together in a shared appreciation for quality, local produce. As the business evolved, so did its name, eventually becoming The Better Food Co., marking a significant step in its growth.

2002 – Our first home
Phil and his team upped sticks for the last time, settling into our current home in the Proving House in St. Werburghs. This move marked a pivotal moment as The Better Food Co. began its transition into the organic retail specialist we know today. This new space allowed the business to spread its roots and continue to grow its offerings.

2004 – Growing the future
Phil and his team started cultivating a small plot of organic land in Wrington, selling what he produced to his customers in Bristol.

2006 – The first cafe
As we settled into our St. Werburghs home, we seized the opportunity to open our first café. True to our organic principles, the menu showcased the best organic, local produce available, extending our commitment to healthy, sustainable food.

2009 – From plot to community farm
The growing operation in Wrington expanded to a larger plot of land in Chew Magna. Today, The Community Farm is a community-owned, not-for-profit, open organic farm that supplies Better Food with fresh produce, runs its own box scheme, and serves as a hub connecting organic growers throughout the region.

2010 – Spreading the vision
Better Food opened its second store on Whiteladies Road in Clifton. While smaller than our flagship store, this shop and café became a testament to the idea that good things really do come in small packages, bringing our passion for organic, ethical food to another part of the city.

2015 – Simply, Better Food
Though the business continued to grow, our name streamlined and we became—Better Food— reflecting our focus and commitment to our core principles.

2016 – A new development
Our next store opened in Wapping Wharf — a new development of independent businesses on Bristol’s harbourside. Buzzing and modern, its central location offers local residents and workers, commuters and visitors to the city the perfect organic pitstop and place to watch the world go by.

2017 – Celebrating 25 years of Better Food
25 years after we first set up shop, we were winners of a Soil Association BOOM Award for Best Organic Retailer, and our cafés became the first in England to be awarded the Soil Association Organic Served Here Award. We also launched our first company-wide charity campaign: Streets to Kitchen, working with two local charities to teach cookery and food service skills to people affected by homelessness in Bristol.

2021 – Expanding our reach
We opened our fourth store on Gloucester Road, happily joining the thriving community on Britain’s longest independent shopping street, and further expanding our reach and impact.

2024 – Royal recognition
Our Founder, Phil, receives an MBE in recognition of his services to sustainable food initiatives and the community of Bristol. We’re so proud and continually inspired by his passion for our soil, farmers, communities and making better food accessible to all.

Today – Our mission continues
Better Food employs more than 100 people across our four locations and provides a vital route to market for over 70 local farms, producers, manufacturers and suppliers. We remain dedicated to sourcing the very best in organic, local, and ethical food and products, and we are committed to being a positive force in our community.