Our History
From our humble beginnings, to four stores across Bristol – organic, local and ethical food have always been at the heart of Better Food.
Our Founder, Phil Haughton, began his journey in 1992 by bringing organic and local food to customers at his Gloucester Road shop, The Real Food Store. In the 30 years since, we’ve established a strong bond with local suppliers, championed organic food and brought a fairer and more sustainable shopping experience to many.
1992 – Phil’s Better Food Campaign
Phil Haughton sets up an organic delivery box scheme – Phil’s Better Food Campaign – in St Werburghs, later becoming The Better Food Company.
2002 – Our first store opens
We up sticks, settling into our current home and first store in St Werburghs.
2004 – The Walled Garden
Phil and the team cultivate a small plot of organic land in Wrington, selling what we produce to customers.
2006 – Our first café opens
True to our organic roots, the food still takes advantage of the best organic, local produce.
2009 – The growing operation moves
The growing side of things moves to a larger plot in Chew Magna. Today, The Community Farm, is a community-owned, not-for-profit open organic farm in its own right.
2010 – Store two opens!
Our second store opens on Whiteladies Road.
2016 – Store number three
Our third store opens on Wapping Wharf.
2017 – We win a Soil Association BOOM Award for Best Organic Retailer
…and our cafés become the first in England to be awarded the Soil Association Organic Served Here Award. We also launch our first company-wide charity campaign: Streets to Kitchen.
2019 – Natural and Organic Products Europe Award
We won a Natural and Organic Products Europe Award for Best Independent Retailer.
2021 – BOOM Award
At the BOOM awards we take home Best of Organic Independent Retailers and Finalist for Best of Organic Eating Out.
2021 – Store four opens!
We open our fourth and newest Bristol shop and café on the vibrant Gloucester Road.
2023 – We win another BOOM Award
Winners of Best Organic Independent Retailer and finalist in Best of Organic Eating Out at the Soil Association’s BOOM Awards 2023!
We were also awarded the Gold Bristol Eating Better Award 2023.
It doesn’t end there. Our Founder, Phil Haughton, is awarded an MBE for services to sustainable food initiatives and the community of Bristol. What a great achievement and year for Better Food!