Suma Wholefoods

We are Suma Suma is a wholefood collective founded in 1977 by a liberally-minded group of people who believed there was a better way, and actively set out to create it. Today we are stronger than ever. We deliver over 7,000 vegetarian, natural, responsibly sourced products to businesses and communities across the UK and internationally. We are one of Europes largest equal-pay worker-owned co-ops, working together to improve our society and support our suppliers and customers. A leading food distributor, we source the most delicious and sustainable products, inspiring change for good. www.suma.coop

We are absolutely thrilled to announce that Suma has been awarded the Platinum Award in the Best Vegan Product category for our Suma Organic Red Pesto, as voted by the readers of Your Healthy Living magazine! 🏆 Made with the finest, sustainably sourced ingredients, bursting with rich flavours from sun-dried tomatoes, organic basil, and a perfect blend of Italian seasonings. It’s the perfect addition to pasta, sandwiches, or as a dip – and 100% vegan! 🌱 A big thank you to everyone who voted and to Your Healthy Living for this incredible recognition! 🙏💚 Shop now 💻 Links in bio

We don't normally post anything lengthy here, but today is Equal Pay Day, and we'd like to say a little more about the gender pay gap and equality at Suma. Equal Pay Day marks the time in the year when, based on gender pay gap reporting, women in the UK stop being paid compared to men. It is two days earlier than last year, meaning that despite years of slow progress to close the gap, this year it has widened. In fact, it's the first time the gender pay gap has widened since 2013 according to The Fawcett Society. So in effect, this means that women are working for free for the rest of the year based on average earnings when compared to men. Here at Suma though, it's different. As an equal pay worker co-op, we’re built on the belief that fairness should be at the heart of business. So every worker here earns the same hourly rate, regardless of gender, role or length of service. Our gender pay gap is 0%, always has been. While many organisations are grappling with how to address gender pay disparities, Suma - and equal pay worker co-ops like us - stand as proof that a fairer approach is achievable. For over 40 years, our worker co-operative model has shown that businesses can succeed without compromising on equality. This year, we’re also thrilled that Suma has just been celebrated internationally as a leading example of what’s being called 'Hopepunk Entrepreneurship'. A study featuring Suma as a central case study won the prestigious Institute for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (ISBE) and International Small Business Journal Best Paper Award for Pushing the Boundaries of Research at the 2024 ISBE conference. The research, led by Dr Catherine Brentnall Brentnall (Manchester Metropolitan University) and Serxia Lage-Arias (Vrije University, Amsterdam), explored how co-op principles like those at Suma embody 'hopepunk'—a concept rooted in working towards a kinder, fairer world, even in challenging times. We are delighted to be recognised as an example of hopepunk in action. At Suma, equal pay is a core value that reflects how we think businesses should operate. This award reinforces that creating a better, more equal world isn’t just a utopian vision, it’s something co-ops like Suma are already doing every day. #EqualPayDay #GenderPayGap #GenderEquality #Hopepunk

West Yorkshire co-ops Suma Wholefoods and Forus Tree have joined forces on reforestation work in the Calder Valley. https://lnkd.in/exkc9gsK

We're exhibiting at the Good Food Winter Show at the NEC in Birmingham, from 21st–24th November 2024. We'll be showcasing our delicious and sustainable ingredients, and cooking up some lovely Italian flavours. There's a host of celebrity chefs and experts, including James Martin, Tom Kerridge, Nadiya Hussain, Michel Roux, and many more. And there'll be recipe inspiration, hands-on workshops, tastings, and endless opportunities to discover the finest producers and brands. Oh, and if you fancy it, use the code SUMA to save 15% on tickets. https://lnkd.in/eW8kvjyJ #BBCGoodFood #Suma

How do we double the size of the co-operative economy? We have an opportunity to make sure the democratic business sector is working together to influence how public policy and resources benefit this part of the business economy in the UK over the next few years. Tickets are on sale for the Democratic Business Summit 2024 on 3 December in Cardiff. Join to discuss: + How can we secure the investment we need to grow the sector? + What would a strong ecosystem of democratic business support look like? + What kinds of evidence and research can most effectively make the case for democratic business ownership? + What does our business movement want from the new government? Event info & tickets👉 https://lnkd.in/eSTSnn_F

We've always wanted Suma to be on telly! So we're asking for your vote to help us achieve our dream 🤩 We've entered the Sky Zero Footprint Fund: Local Heroes competition and need your vote! A win would help us get seen by thousands of people and allow us to spread our message of cooperation, and how it's great for community, people and planet 🌎 Just click the link below, and share with your friends. It would mean so much. https://lnkd.in/emFUtFi8 #GetSumaOnTV #Sustainability #LocalHeroes #AdSmartFromSky

🌿 Exciting News from Ecoleaf by Suma 🌿 We’ve launched a new Instagram channel, dedicated to giving our beloved eco-friendly home cleaning brand, Ecoleaf by Suma, the love it deserves. Join us and follow at https://lnkd.in/ezedSQTt 🌱 Since introducing the UK’s first recycled toilet paper back in 1986 (yep, nearly 40 years ago!), Ecoleaf has been a trusted choice for wholefood shops and zero-waste stores. Now, we’re celebrating our incredible customers and sharing eco-friendly cleaning hacks, tips, and inspiration. Ecoleaf by Suma is an effective range of plant-based, biodegradable and eco-friendly household cleaning products – available in sizes perfect for kitchens and bathrooms, right through to 20 litres, as well as kitchen roll and toilet tissue. We are a co-operative of people committed to sourcing the most sustainable and ethical products. Ecoleaf is proudly brought to you by Suma, an equal-pay worker co-op.

We’re hiring! Project manager – permanent role We’re looking for a fantastic project manager to lead and manage multiple projects across our co-op. You will be responsible for overseeing every stage of a project's lifecycle, from establishing a business case and planning objectives to ensuring successful project delivery. You’ll work closely with various teams, manage resources, mitigate risks and keep stakeholders updated on progress. In this role, you’ll have the chance to shape the way we work, making a real difference to our operations whilst growing your project portfolio and having a real say in how our co-op operates and grows. By joining Suma you’re not just taking on any project manager role. Here at Suma, we’ve been doing things a bit differently for over 40 years. Suma is a worker co-op, owned and run by over 200 members who work here. We collectively set the direction of the business - there are no shareholders and no traditional ‘bosses’. And everyone at Suma gets paid the same wage, and takes responsibility for our business. The benefits - Fantastic worker owned workplace - Salary of £17.24 per hour - Generous holiday entitlement & pension - Staff discount on our stock - Overtime can be taken as pay or time off in lieu - Access to occupational sick pay - Free hot veggie meals in the staff canteen - An equal say in the running of our business 👉 Click here for more details and to apply: www.suma.coop/jobs

🌱 Happy National Vegetarian Week! 🌱 We had a good laugh diving into the archive for these old-school Suma throwbacks. Sure, they might look a bit old-fashioned, but our love for all things veggie has never gone out of style! 🌼💚 We've been vegetarian from the word go (back in 1977!), proving that looking after our bodies and being kind to our planet is always in fashion. #NationalVegetarianWeek #Vegetarian #Veggie