Packaging & Food Handling

Our packaging

We want to make sure that our products reach you in perfect condition, so the right packaging is a must. With our double-insulated, temperature-controlled packaging, you can be sure your fresh meat delivery will be kept perfectly chilled on its way to you for up to 72 hours. And, unlike some of our competitors, we do not charge for packaging.

The packaging process

On the day of despatch, we prepare your order. We vacuum-pack and double-seal the fresh meat to keep the air out and the meat as fresh as when it was cut. We then pack your order carefully in a special insulating liner with food-safe gel coolants to keep everything nicely cold and put it in one of our strong corrugated boxes. All is then carefully sealed up and whisked off by our couriers to you.

This tried-and-tested packaging keeps your order properly chilled for up to 72 hours in the winter and 48 hours in the summer, making sure your order reaches you safely. Everything is kept good and cold throughout the journey, ready for you to unpack and store in the freezer or fridge or cook straightaway.

We send you our meat fresh and vacuum packed rather than frozen (apart from our Ready Meals and Gluten Free Box, which are delivered frozen for customer convenience), as we believe this maintains the best taste of the product. We think our packaging is the best available, but we regularly review new packaging options to make sure we have what is best for our customers, our products and the environment.

We provide storage instructions on every item we send, setting out how long it can be stored in the fridge or freezer and enjoyed at its best. For more on freezing times and defrosting see our Freezing guidelines.

Recycling

Our packaging can be almost completely recycled.

The cardboard box, unlike more traditional polystyrene packaging commonly used for perishable goods, can easily be recycled in your household paper and cardboard recycling.

The insulating liner is made from recycled denim, which is compostable, and can either go in your kerbside recycling or to your recycling centre, depending on your local council’s recycling arrangements. Or you can reuse it, for instance, to insulate your plants in the winter or as pet bedding.

The gel coolants can be reused or recycled. To recycle them, simply snip the corner of the gel coolant and pour the benign liquid down the sink. Then recycle the plastic – along with the protective food bags and plastic inner liner – checking with your local council as plastic recycling varies in each location. Bag recycling facilities are also available in some supermarkets.

As well as recycling, we continue to look for ways to make our operations more sustainable, for instance sourcing our gel coolants and boxes from the same supplier to reduce the delivery miles involved. If you have any questions about our packaging or delivery options, or any issues with your order on arrival, give us a call on 01382 819417.