Why Organic?

The reasons we have become organic:

  • Healthy
  • More Flavour
  • No nasty additives or pesticides/herbicides used in production
  • GM free
  • High Standards
  • Care for animals
  • Good for wildlife and the environment

High levels of essential minerals and vitamins which supplement our diet are found naturally in organic produce, especially in milk which contains high levels of Omega 3 fatty acids and vitamins A and E.It is therefore locial that there is much more flavour in organic produce, they are grown in a slower, more traditional way with lower amounts of water content, hence there is a lot more natural flavour in the produce.


Very few of the additives used in the modern world are used in organic foods. Only 32 out of hundreds of additive products are certified for use in organic food across the EU. Pesticides and herbicides are banned in the production of organic foods. Often in non-organic produce of fruit, vegetables and breads (approximately 40%) there are still pesticides present in food when it is consumed.


Organic foods are all GM free, so no Genetically Modified produce can be used in their production.
All organic foods are made to a high standard with farms producing organic foods inspected at least once a year. This is parft of European Law.Organic farming has a much higher welfare standard for their livestock than other methods of farming who all work to the British Soil Association Standards.


Organic farming is also a key element in supporting wildlife and causes lower pollution from chemicals and produces less dioxide into the environment.


Organic Food


All the food served at Aphrodites Hotel is organic and a soil association licence is shortly to be applied for. The priority is to serve organic, local, fairtrade and seasonal foods whenever it is possible.


Why Organic?


Organic foods use no pesticides or herbicides, hence it has a positive effect for fauna and flora. It is also healthier for our bodies and reduces the amount of toxins and chemicals in our bodies. During the growth of organic products substantially less energy is required for that production compound with non organic food.


Local Sourcing (or Slow Food?)


Choices are made daily for fresh vegetables and fruit and are sourced mostly from Howbarrow Organic Farm (approx 10 miles away). Their products are recorded for the place of origin, the emphasis is always to help Cumbria farmers giving them support in return for the freshest of foods. The local organic farms are employing more labour which is having a positive effect on the community and their costs are counterbalanced by the eradication of pesticides and herbicides etc, this all helps to sustain local communities.


Season Foods


By using seasonal foods (wherever possible) there is a reduction in energy consumed in their production and also in the distance the produce has to travel.


Fair Trade


The ethics of buying fair trade is important and more produce than ever are purchased accordingly.
Our Suppliers
The food products we used are sourced locally from the following suppliers:


Dairy Produce:


Low Sizergh Barn
A dairy farm estate approximately 10 miles away who spend a lot of their time looking after their 120 dairy cows who have a calf each year. Delivering to us three times a week, an essential part of our produce. www.lowsizerghbarn.co.uk


Meats:


Askerton Castle Estate
Our bacon and sausage is supplied by this organic farm who specialize in rare breed pigs and cattle. The Cumberland sausage supplied by them is handmade. Askerton Castle is located approximately 60 miles away and further details of how they farm can be found at their website www.askertoncastle.co.uk.
Matson Ground Farm
Suppliers of our steaks, both fillet and sirloin. An organic farm they are located less than one mile from us here on the edge of the village. Further information can be found on their website www.matsongroundorganic.co.uk.


Wholefoods:


Suma Wholefoods
Our wholefood supplier specialise in fair trade, organic, ethnic and natural products. They deliver on large order to us each week and are based approximately 80 miles away. Their website is www.suma.co.uk.


Fruit and Vegetables:


Howbarrow Organic Farm
An organic farm approximately 10 miles away offering a wide range of fruit and vegetables including fresh herbs and salad ingredients. Delivering to us twice weekly these form an essential part of our culinary produce we offer. Further information can be found on their website www.howbarroworganic.co.uk.


Breads:


Howbarrow Farm supply all our breads for breakfast, snacks and speciality breads that are used in the restaurant on an evening.


Fish:


Lakeland Seafoods
Local suppliers for fish produce supplying organic fish to us on a regular basis. www.lakelandseafood.co.uk


Coffee and Teas:


The Fairground
Based in Staveley, a local village about 4 miles away. They specialise in fair trade organic coffee and teas. Further information can be found on their website www.fairgroundcoffee.co.uk