The Garlic Farm’s Impact Report for the year ending 30th June 2025 summarises our progress and commitments to sustainability through efficient resource use and respect for people and the environment. This update tracks both our achievements and challenges to provide a transparent, accountable record of how we operate and how we plan to improve across the business.

Efficiency Metrics

•  Waste:  Diversion from landfill: 54.7% (though this is a slight improvement on last year it falls just shy of 60% target).

o   No longer printing invoices and delivery notes for each order. Huge reduction in paper waste.

Goals up to July 2026 – Continue to strive for 60% diversion from landfill.

How will we achieve this?

• • Regular close inspection of general waste bins.
  • Team training in correct waste disposal across departments.

• Electricity use:

                 Mersley - 17% reduction against baseline.
                 Langbridge - 59% reduction against baseline.

Goals up to July 2026

·       Maintain current reductions whilst looking for small improvements across both sites.

• Solar generation: 106,623 kWh produced this period across both sites (vs 56,595 last year) due to addition of new packing shed panels (equivalent saving of 26.7 metric tons of CO2).

Goals up to July 2026

·       Invest in new solar when opportunities arise.

• Biomass readings – Due to a technical error biomass readings are unavailable at time of releasing this report.

Goals up to July 2026

·       We will continue to combine use of our biomass boiler (using imported pellets) for heating our buildings, alongside use of our own wood in wood burners, favouring the latter where possible. This approach is to be reviewed on completion of contract with OFGEM.

Water usage across 2 sites, Langbridge and Mersley (percentage savings over baseline):

Mersley=18%
Langbridge=13% 

This year added 10 x 200Ltr water butts around Mersley site for water saving as part of Southern Water scheme.

Goals for YREND30062026  -

·  Increase target to 30% combined reduction over both sites.

· We will continue to monitor water usage monthly. Adding water harvesting wherever opportunities arise. Continue to train and encourage team with water saving techniques.

·  Investigate more water harvesting opportunities at Langbridge site.

Food waste

·    We have continued to compost all our raw food waste and use it to feed our worm farm. Vermicast from worm farm used to fertilise borders of Mersley site.

·       Restaurant team engaged Tom Hunt for food waste training.

·       New menu and food waste manifesto released in autumn 2024.

Goals up to July 2026

·       Recommence recording food waste in kitchen.

·       Continue to assess menu for food waste reduction opportunities.

 

 

Carbon Emissions (on farm only)

Based on calculations from Farm Carbon Toolkit:

Total emissions from farm = 83t 
Total carbon sequestered by farm = 317t

Goals up to July 2026

Going forward we will use FCT to calculate our farm emissions and carbon sequestration yr on yr with an aim to:

·       Decrease total carbon emissions by 10%

·       Increase total sequestered carbon by 10%

Environmental Stewardship

·        Soil Association Organic, Pasture for Life and B Corp certifications continue to be upheld, and Kings Award for Sustainable Development awarded this year.

·        Ongoing mob grazing and regenerative practices show following results:

o   Infiltration rate improved by approximately 5% in certain fields.

o   Above ground indicators improving: more density and diversity (carrying capacity of livestock increased as a result, despite drought).

o   Lab test still indicates ‘tight’ and ‘tired’ soils but progress above and good organic garlic harvest shows positive direction.

·   A woodland management plan is in place. We await further clarification on available funding to help with implementation. A new WMP is being developed to manage the newly acquired woodland.

·      Wet system continues to evolve and shows ever improving results in lab tests with regards to the uptake of phosphates and nitrates from our wastewater. The system is comfortably processing up to 10cubic metres of wastewater per day.

Goals up to July 2026

·     Continue to uphold certifications and secure B Corp recertification in 2027.

·     Continue to use Field Margin and Soil Mentor to monitor and record effects of regenerative farming practices.

·       Strive for improved infiltration rates across the estate.

·       Complete new WMP for new woodland and apply for relevant funding.

·       Continue to maintain and monitor WET system.  

·     Continue to host quarterly meetings of Green Ambassadors to drive and maintain environmental targets.

 

 

Considered Purchasing

·        A total of 18 of 85 products converted to organic.

·      We currently stock 41 organic lines in shop and 39 BCorp lines as well as all our own BCorp products.

·    We continue to prioritise ethical sourcing and local suppliers in our shop and restaurant.

Goals up to July 2026

·       Continue to aim for 1/3 of product conversion to organic.

·       Increase stock of organic lines in shop by 10% of current quantity.

·     Continue looking at ways to collaborate with local businesses and support local suppliers in best way possible.

·       Identify measurable goals for ethical and local sourcing and their priorities.

 

 

Financial Security

·       Sustain financial viability and responsible growth to fund our people and planet-first approach, enabling us to celebrate garlic and protect livelihoods in line with our mission and values.

Goals up to July 2026

·        Continue to be a Living Wage Employer.

·    Continue to make people aware of resources to help with financial planning, pension plans.

·        Continue to provide classes in stress management.

 

Wellness and Safety

·       New warehouse extension - improvement to processes & packing, meaning we’re getting more done, customers receiving orders quicker & less stress/pressure on team.

·        Team satisfaction survey results (YOY):

o   Engagement: down 7% vs. last year.

o   Improvements: 16/37 categories improved.

o   Areas for focus: 15/37 categories declined; targeted actions planned to address these.

Goals up to July 2026

·        Increase engagement in Team Satisfaction Survey to 60%.

·        Identify specific actions related to survey results and share with team.

·        Continue to complete comprehensive H&S reviews and update risk assessments.

·        Continue to subsidise local gym memberships.

·        Continue to offer 30% off our shop and restaurant for all team members.

·     Continue to offer beneficial, informative and health focused free workshops to team members (foraging, fermentation, nutrition, etc).

 

Community Involvement

·       1,132 hours donated (vs 257 hours last year). This increased due to more accurate allocation of directors’ time and involvement in various local groups as well as increased engagement of team towards volunteering.

·       Hosted multiple events to support and promote regenerative farming practice.

·      Offer free access to farmland via educational farm walks available to all customers to the farm.

·   Free informative farm maps containing farming, garlic growing, wildlife and historical information.

·        £25803.28 donated to charitable causes across the island.

Goals up to July 2026

Continue to… 

·       Encourage volunteering hours for team members at charities of their choice.

·      Offer informative walks with working family members throughout school holidays.

·       Offer free Garlic Press publication to customers.

·       Engage with local schools and groups on talks, workshops and educational visits.

·       Offer free access to farmland with education information to all customers to farm.

·       Donate to local charities.

 

Training and Development

·       175.45 hours of training completed.

·       Annual training programs for all team members.

·       Comprehensive reviews of First Aid, Fire Marshalling, Food Safety and Health and Safety Training.

·        Work related training offered at every appraisal.

Goals up to July 2026

·   Aim for total of 200 hours of training. 

·    Offer annual training to all team members.

·    Review First Aid, Fire Marshalling, Food Safety and Health and Safety Training.

·    Offer work related training at every appraisal.

 

 

Conclusion:

This year’s impact report shows that overall, The Garlic Farm continues to deliver social and environmental value while maintaining financial resilience. 

Looking forward, we should pursue deeper, science-based improvements across our operations where feasible, aligning targets with established benchmarks to drive meaningful change. We should continue to seek advice and inspiration from those leading the way in regenerative agriculture and sustainable business practices and continue to openly share our findings with our community.

Every team member has a role to play and by empowering managers, recognising effort, and weaving impact into daily decisions, we can continue to make meaningful improvements that align with our values to protect our planet and look after each other.