OCADOLIFE 01 - June 2008

One of the most common questions we get asked by customers is ‘why did you decide to start Ocado?’ Don’t worry, it’s something we ask ourselves a lot too! The main reason we started Ocado because we thought there was a better, more sustainable way to move food from field to kitchen table.

Back then it wasn’t cool to talk about efficiency in food. Well, to many people, it still isn’t: after all, food is about taste and experience, not about streamlining a supply chain. But, remember, most of the cost of food is in the energy used to transport it from where it grows to where it’s eaten.

Because we don’t have supermarkets, we’re not responsible for running wasteful open fridges or attracting cars and lorries to clog up our towns and cities. We’re also using less energy to get your food to your kitchen, making it a modern and truly sustainable way to shop. And that’s something we’re incredibly proud of.

We were also the first – and are still the only – company to tell you when we have a van already in your area, giving you the chance to pick an environmentally-friendly, fuel-saving delivery slot.

We’re not resting on our laurels though. We’re always looking for clever ways to reduce our impact on the environment, like eco-friendly bio-diesel delivery vans, or biodegradable carrier bags that we can recycle into new Ocado bags.

In typical Ocado style, we’ve even chosen to print our new ocadolife magazine on sustainable paper certificated by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). Well, what else did you expect?

Jason,

Ocado Co-Founder