Our vision

Essential Trading is an inspiring example of a successful Worker Co-operative business in action. Our commercial success enables us to;

- Continue to build and strengthen relationships with suppliers and customers, offering world class service levels in all aspects of our business.

- Provide a sustainable business model that is mutually beneficial and fair

- Offer a stimulating and supportive environment for all workers, respect for the individual and a strong sense of business purpose.

- Continue to reduce our environmental impact locally, nationally and globally

- Uphold and promote our core beliefs within all areas of our business.

- Become the vital link between small producers and the Independent Trade Sector with our ongoing commitment to ethical values and sourcing

- Recycling our success into strengthening communities, both locally and globally

Our Mission

To excel as a sustainable business providing ethically sourced, vegetarian products as a pioneering Worker Co-operative.

Essential's trading objectives are defined by our core ethical beliefs:

- Opposition to the exploitation of animals

- Promotion of healthy eating

- Concern for protecting the environment

- Commitment to human rights as a trading issue

- Dedication to the co-operative principles

Trading since 1971, Essential Trading is one of the largest worker co-operatives in the UK, and a proud pioneer of the wholefood market. Essential Trading wholesales, manufactures and distributes vegetarian wholefoods across the UK and beyond. The business specialises in ethically produced, organic, Fairtrade and ‘free from’ food sourced from all corners of the globe; never by airfreight.

We are particularly interested in provenance and sustainability. By collaborating with some of the finest brands and producers out there, including co-operatives like us, we are proud to bring you an innovative selection of ethical alternatives and health food products. Fully accredited since the origination of Organic and Fairtrade licensing, we pack commodities like rice and nuts here in our purpose-built facility in Bristol.

Passionate about nutrition and taste, the emphasis here at Essential is on pure, healthy food and ethically assured fairly-traded products you can trust. The priority is authentic, top quality ingredients, packed with goodness and bursting with flavour. It is these pure ‘free from’ products and devilishly tasty discoveries that give the Essential brand its distinct and very vibrant personality.

As a co-operative, we have always had a strong belief in doing things our own way; the company is entirely owned and operated by its workers. We recently celebrated over four successful decades in business and there are valuable relationships and individuals here who mirror the company values - each in their own way. The company has a history of sticking to this ‘consciously different’ ethos. For example, the range offers a 100% vegetarian/vegan and GMO-free guarantee, and the worker co-operative supports small producers and independent retailers; never selling to supermarkets.

The Essential brand itself includes around 900 product lines, and contains no artificial colours, flavours or modifiers. Everything is traceable, wholesome, packed with goodness. The range is packaged in bold, bright and distinctive designs that are full of character and reflect the passion behind the brand.

Essential Trading also wholesales over 400 other brands including exclusive artisan ranges and superfood health heroes. With over 5,500 lines of healthy options, quality nutrition and sustainable products - 80% of which are certified organic – this is food you can have faith in.

Essential take away all the hard work of sourcing authentically natural, flavoursome, sustainable food.

Essential Trading Co-op Ltd

{{ shopfront.name }}'s producers: