Swindon restaurant gets organic seal of approval from Soil Association

Helen Browning’s Chop House has received a 3 star award from the Soil Association’s Organic Served Here scheme, in recognition of its commitment to serving a menu that contains 50-75% certified organic ingredients.

The Browning family has farmed in Bishopstone near Swindon since 1950. Helen took over the reins in 1986 and decided to experiment with organic farming, and in so doing transformed the family business. Now a multi- award winning organic food company, Helen has a variety of pork products available in major supermarkets such as Sainsbury’s, an organic boutique hotel and pub, and Swindon’s only organic meat restaurant ‘Helen Browning’s Chop House’.

Situated in Swindon’s Wood Street, The Chop House serves Helen’s own organic beef, pork and lamb all reared on her Eastbrook Farm in Bishopstone.

Helen Browning, who is also the CEO of the Soil Association, said:  “Of all the benefits I love about organic farming – the wildlife, the landscape, the delicious food – my chief motivator is allowing our animals to have as good a life as possible.

“Our Chop House is a flagship for these principles. The meat we use comes directly from our farm where we have an organic system, meaning the animals feel the sun on their backs. To me organic farming and food isn’t a unique or alternative choice, it’s how things should be.

“Achieving the Organic Served Here standard is a real seal of approval. Crucially, the audit gives our customers confidence in our organic credentials.”

The UK organic market is now worth £2.2 billion, growing 6% in 2017. Organic sales in food service, including through the Organic Served Here scheme, grew by 10.2%.*

Further Soil Association research reveals that 48% of people don’t feel that there are enough places serving sustainable or ethically sourced dishes, with 43% stating that having organic food on the menu makes a restaurant more appealing.

Sarah Jupp, Business Development Manager for the Soil Association said: “It is a pleasure to work with the Chop House, as they are great advocates for the organic movement.

“As organic food sales are increasing, consumers are becoming more engaged in the origins of their food. Many people don’t realise it but organic must legally be certified at every stage of production, which means it’s food you can trust. The Soil Association checks the organic served is certified organic you can trust and confirms how much is on the menu. It’s the only restaurant award which offers such clarity and assurance for today’s more ethically-minded consumers.

“There are many reasons why organic is the way forward. Organic always means fewer pesticides, no artificial additives and preservatives, always free range, no routine use of antibiotics, and no GM ingredients. Simply put, organic is food as it should be.

 “If you’re considering transforming your establishment to organic we can help you to establish connections with organic producers you can trust, and achieve your own Organic Served Here accreditation.”

Chefs: For more information about the award and how to apply visit  https://www.soilassociation.org/organicservedhere.

Diners: For more information about the award and a listing of restaurants which hold it, visit

www.soilassociation.org/osh.

Information about Helen Browning’s Chop House can be found on their website: https://helenbrowningsorganic.co.uk/chop-house/. 

*Soil Association 2018 Organic Market Report