London organic and plant-based food company hands out 30,000 meals to mark anniversary

A Japanese organic food firm celebrated its 30th anniversary by donating 30,000 meals to London communities.

Clearspring, based in Acton, teamed up with cookery school and food charity Made In Hackney - which is itself celebrating its 10th anniversary - to get the vegan meals to households that need them.

Sarah Bentley, founder of Made in Hackney, said: "Made In Hackney and Clearspring believe everyone should have access to high quality, healthy food that's good for people and the planet. Clearspring have supported our community cookery classes, meal service and fundraising activities with their incredible products for many years.

"We're delighted to partner with them now to provide 30,000 free plant-based meals to households with food support needs as part of Clearspring’s 30-year anniversary."

Maria Dawson, managing director at Clearspring, said: “Reaching 30 years as an independent family business is a great achievement to celebrate. We wanted to take this opportunity to make a concerted effort to give back with our pledge to donate 30,000 free plant-based meals."

Clearspring is fundraising throughout the year to support Made in Hackney, as well as partnering with other organisations including City Harvest, which helps distribute food to more 350 local charities.

Maria said: “We also wanted to say thank you to everyone who has helped us reach this 30-year milestone. Thank you to the brilliant Clearspring team, the fantastic organic and Demeter certified farmers and artisan food producers, the committed wholesalers and retailers who stock our products and the loyal shoppers who choose to add Clearspring to their baskets every day. Your continued support is helping us to realise our dream to create a more sustainable future and is enabling us to work and play to convert one more acre back to organic each day.”

Clearspring was founded in 1993 by Christopher Dawson, who came from New Zealand to London to study organic and biodynamic farming. He set up and ran East West Natural Foods in London in 1977.

Christopher moved to Japan in the 1980s to further his understanding of organic agriculture and made the country his home for the next 18 years.

Clearspring offers more than 300 products across 30 categories, including Japanese specialities, tofu and seasonings, as well as European cold pressed oils, vinegars, snacks, purees, pasta and pasta sauces. All Clearspring products are plant based, refined sugar free and made without the use of artificial additives or ingredients.