Monthly Archives: February 2025

Soil Association Interview with the Phat Controllers – Food For Life

Posted on February 20, 2025 by - Uncategorized

Meet the people behind Phat Pasty – the pasty company that breaks new ground

The Phat Pasty Co, have been Supplier Members of The Soil Association since 2017, and were the first savoury pasty company to adopt the Food for Life standards across their products. In fact, this is one of many ‘firsts’, with Phat leading the way in so many different areas.

Founded by husband and wife team Paul and Laura Clark, who started the business from their kitchen table and a converted campervan back in 2006, the brand has grown exponentially and is now established as one of the leading UK foodservice suppliers of hand-made pasties, pies, sausage rolls and savoury treats.

Paul and Laura continue to run Phat Pasty today and we sat down with them to hear more about how they got involved with Food for Life, their commitment to British ingredients, their recent B-Corp accreditation and how they stay ahead of the crowd.

How did Phat Pasty first get involved with Food for Life?

In 2017, a large schools authority and Food For Life Scheme member approached us with a challenge – they wanted to offer sausage rolls in their primary and secondary schools, but none on the market met the Food For Life Bronze standard or aligned to the school food standards.

At Phat Pasty, we’ve always been committed to quality, using British ingredients at the heart of our products. So, we embraced the opportunity and got to work.

We haven’t looked back since! Sausage rolls are now a staple in many schools, and we’ve expanded our range to include plant-based options, such as our vegan sausage roll and Mexican bean roll (both 80g).

We’ve noticed all of your range is produced using British farm-assured meats. Why is the provenance of products so important to Phat?

It’s often difficult for consumers to know exactly where their food comes from. Some brands claim their products are British when, in reality, only a small ingredient – often not even the main one – meets that standard. Some state ‘Made in UK’ and this can cause confusion with operators and customers. We want to be open and transparent with our customers. If we say our products are British, we believe they should be truly British.

That’s why all our Phat pasties, pies, and sausage rolls are made with British farm-assured meats. This not only gives consumers confidence in the food they’re eating but also supports British farmers. But we don’t stop there. Our Traditional Cornish Pasty contains 17% beef skirt – well above the standard of 12.5% for a ‘Cornish Pasty’ – while our Seriously Cheesy Pasty is packed with West Country Cheddar, Red Leicester, and a rich, creamy béchamel sauce. We also use only free-range eggs and sustainably sourced palm oil.

We’re always looking for ways to make our products even better – full of goodness and quality ingredients.

There is a growing demand for plant-based products. How have you adapted your range?

We’ve led the way in the rise of vegan products, becoming the first to introduce a fully plant-based pasty. Our Keralan Cauliflower, Chickpea & Onion Bhaji Pasty launched over six years ago, and it’s remained a bestseller ever since.

Our plant-based and vegetarian range continues to grow, now making up 50% of our offering. More and more consumers, including those who still eat meat, are incorporating plant-based options into their diets as they look to reduce meat consumption and make more sustainable choices.

We bring the same commitment to quality and flavour to our plant-based products as we do to our meat-based range. Standout creations like our Butternut Squash, Spinach & Vegan Feta Pasty and Spicy Cauliflower Balti Pie showcase bold, delicious flavours that set us apart.

Last year we added a range of gluten free pies to our range and this also includes a Mushroom Bourguignon Pie which is vegan and suitable for coeliacs.

We are the first pasty company to earn accreditation from the Vegetarian Society’s Plant-Based Trademark – another milestone in our journey of breaking new ground.

We heard you recently became B-Corp accredited. How did you celebrate?

 By the end of the process we were exhausted. It took us and the team over 18 months to conduct a full review of everything we do, so our first thought was to lie down and take a well-earned rest! The application was rigorous, and the journey was long, but the hard work paid off. We were incredibly proud to be recognised, especially as the first Cornish pasty company to achieve B Corp™ status.

Our unwavering commitment to using British meats and natural ingredients played a key role, as did our dedication to social and environmental initiatives. Our Supplier Membership of the Soil Association further demonstrated our ethos and this certainly helped us in our submissions.

Since 2019, we’ve partnered with The Word Forest Organisation, an environmental charity that plants trees, builds classrooms, and supports education in Kenya. Thanks to our donations, nearly 25,000 fast-growing, predominantly food-bearing trees have been planted, collectively sequestering 6,094 tonnes of CO2 – helping to offset our carbon footprint and combat climate change.

We’re also giving back closer to home. During Cornish Pasty Week 2025, we’ll be supporting Devon and Cornwall Food Action, donating 5p from every pasty sold.

For us, doing the right thing – for our products, people, and the planet – has always been at the heart of what we do. Achieving B Corp™ status was the culmination of years of dedication, and we’re just getting started. One of our sayings is “Eat Well. Have Fun. Do Good.”

You are often the first to do things – how to you stay ahead of everyone else?

We’ve never been ones to follow the crowd – we set out to break new ground from day one. Whether it’s launching the first fully plant-based pasty, becoming the first Cornish pasty company to achieve B Corp™ status, or earning accreditation from the Vegetarian Society’s Plant-Based Trademark. We thrive on leading the way.

For us, innovation isn’t just about new flavours or products; it’s about pushing boundaries in quality, sustainability, and responsibility. We believe in doing things properly, making real commitments to the planet, and continuously challenging ourselves to be better. Being first isn’t the goal – doing the right thing is. But when you stay true to your values and keep striving for more, the milestones naturally follow.

Thank you, Paul and Laura! For anyone who may want to stock Plat Pasty products, the range is available nationally via the main foodservice wholesalers, with impactful point of sales materials and other support packages to assist caterers. For more information contact: phatcontroller@phatpasty.com

 

Phat Become first pasty company accredited by the Vegetarian Society, Plant-Based Trademark

Posted on February 18, 2025 by - Phat News

vegetarian society plant based logo

The Phat Pasty Company has products accredited with the Plant-Based Trademark 

The award-winning Phat Pasty Company is today announced as the first pasty company to get products accredited with the Vegetarian Society’s Plant-Based Trademark.

With quality and provenance at its core, Phat Pasty has built a reputation for authentic products that celebrate British ingredients. As the first pasty company to launch a vegan, plant-based pasty over six years ago, Phat has paved the way for plant-based innovation, with vegetarian and vegan options now comprising 50% of its range. Their award-winning selection includes the Peppered Steak-Less Pasty, which was the first-ever vegan pasty to win ‘Best Savoury Pasty’ at the 2022 World Pasty Championships.

Paul Clark, Phat Controller at the Phat Pasty Company, said: “We have forged the way in the growth of vegan products. Our Keralan Cauliflower, Chickpea & Onion Bhaji Pasty was the first plant-based pasty to ever launch to the market and continues to be a best seller. Since then, we’ve worked hard to not only grow our range but ensure it is unmatched in taste, flavour and quality. We’re incredibly proud to break new ground and be the first pasty company to be recognised by the Vegetarian Society’s Plant-Based Trademark.”

The Phat Pasty Company provide authentic hand-made pasties across the UK to both large and small foodservice operations. Now found in cafes, restaurants, theme parks and other large catering locations, they supply some of the largest foodservice wholesalers.
In 2020 they expanded the business to provide a ‘direct to consumer’ option with Phat At Home providing an online home delivery option where consumers were able to enjoy frozen pasties delivered to bake off at home.

Deirdra Barr at the Vegetarian Society, said: “We are excited to see the Plant-Based Trademark getting onto a full range of pasties, pies and savouries . Phat’s Peppered Steak-Less Pasty, Keralan Cauliflower & Onion Bhaji Pasty, Butternut Squash, Spinach and Vegan Feta Pasty and Spinach Balti Pies are some of the amazing products which will be accredited with the Plant-Based Trademark.
“Developments in the marketplace see customers looking for different terminology. ‘Plant-Based’ is a term which resonates with them and manufacturers too. The Plant-Based Trademark offers checking, registration and trademark services for products which meet the criteria and companies who would like to use plant-based terminology, backed up by our trusted third-party certification to give customers the confidence to make informed purchases. Of additional benefit to customers is they can also get their products checked for our Vegan Trademark at the same time, providing marketing choice and cost savings.”

Designed to be the gold standard of plant-based accreditation, the Plant-Based Trademark goes above and beyond the proposed ISO definition offering manufacturers and customers the assurances they are looking for.

The Plant-Based Trademark must have no animal ingredients but offers an extra dimension where products must have a key plant-based characteristic as well. The Plant-Based Trademark has been developed with consultancy after a review of case law and the industry in general.

Phat Support Devon & Cornwall Food Action Charity

Posted on February 14, 2025 by - Phat News

PASTIES FOR GOOD: PHAT PASTY PLEDGES DONATION TO FOOD HUNGER CHARITY

13 February 2025: As part of its charitable work, B-Corp certified Phat Pasty Company has announced a charitable initiative to support Devon and Cornwall Food Action.

During Cornish Pasty Week 2025 (24 February-2 March), Phat Pasty has pledged to donate 5p to the charity for every traditional Cornish pasty sold. The drive will raise vital funds for Devon and Cornwall Food Action, which works to eliminate food poverty in Plymouth, Devon and Cornwall.

The charity is different to a food bank, in that it redistributes donated surplus food from their partners, which include major supermarkets, wholesalers, manufacturers and high street food outlets, to those in need. With a network of nearly 100 volunteers, the donations the charity receive cover the basics that enable them to function, such as warehouse rent, vehicle upkeep and utility bills.

In December 2024 alone, the charity helped 685 individuals and families, providing them with grocery bundles that fill a shopping trolley for a nominal £25 contribution. This not only provided people with much needed, affordable access to food, it also rescued over 17 tons of food. In addition, the charity also supported local soup runs, schools, and breakfast clubs.

Paul Clark, Phat Controller at Phat Pasty, commented: “This is the second time we have supported Devon and Cornwall Food Action. After seeing the real difference the charity has on people in need within their area, as well as the work they do to reduce food waste, it was an easy decision for us to support them again.

“As a supplier of traditional Cornish pasties, made in Cornwall, we feel a great affinity with the area and we’re pleased to be able to donate to a cause which directly benefits the local community.

“As a family business, we knew from the beginning that we wanted to do the right thing when it came to our products, people and planet. Our work was recognised in 2024, when we became B Corp certifiedTM, which was an incredible milestone for us. Supporting charities like Devon and Cornwall Food Action aligns with our core values.”

Alan Dunne, Chairman at Devon and Cornwall Food Action, said: “We strive to support everyone in need, whether they’re facing temporary hardships or ongoing struggles. We’re here to ensure no one goes hungry in our community. We simply couldn’t do this without donations and backing from businesses like Phat Pasty. We’re incredibly grateful for their continued support.”

Alongside its support of Devon and Cornwall Food Action, Phat Pasty is involved in wider charitable initiatives. It is partner to The Word Forest Organisation – an environmental charity – which plants trees, builds classrooms and facilitates education in Kenya. To date, Phat’s donations have resulted in nearly 25,000 fast-growing, predominantly food-bearing trees, being planted across Kenya, which have collectively drawn down and locked in 6,094 tonnes of CO2 – helping to offset Phat’s carbon footprint and combat the effects of climate change.

Through its continued charitable and sustainable work, Phat Pasty was the first Cornish Pasty company to achieve B CorpTM status. As part of the growing B LabTM network – the not-for-profit behind the B Corp movement – Phat Pasty is amongst a growing group of nationally and globally recognised businesses which are committed to transforming the global economy to benefit all people, communities and the planet.

Phat Pasty will make the donation to Devon and Cornwall Food Action once Cornish Pasty Week 2025 is complete.