Infinity Foods Workers Co-operative

Infinity Foods Workers Co-operative Ltd., is an independent wholefood business based in Brighton,^[1] specializing in vegetarian, Fairtrade, organic, ethical,^[2] and natural food and products.^[3]

In 1971, Peter Deadman, Jenny Deadman and Robin Bines, opened Infinity Foods, a small retail shop located in a converted terraced house on Church Street, Brighton.^[4] It was an alternative food retailer, selling organic and natural foods.^[5] A growing demand for organic food as a lifestyle choice was reflected the organic farming growth in the 1970s.^[6]

In 1973, the shop moved to its current site on North Road, Brighton,^[7] where it opened a wholesale operation and bakery^{[8][better source needed]}. Infinity Foods operated informally as a worker cooperative. This is a business where the employees are the owners and collectively manage the company. They have a democratic say in decision-making and share the profits generated by the business, controlling their own workplace through shared ownership and governance.^[7]

It was formalized legally as a worker cooperative in 1979 under the regulations of the Industrial Common Ownership Movement and established as Infinity Foods Cooperative Ltd.^[9] a company owned and collectively managed by its workers.^[10]

In 1985, a separate wholesale division of the business, Infinity Foods Wholesale, was established and now operates from a warehouse outside of Brighton in Shoreham-by-Sea.^[7]

Food surplus redistribution is an attempt to reduce food waste at source. Surpluses can arise for different reasons including food incorrectly labelled, over-ordered, over-supplied, obsolete seasonal stock and damaged packaging.^[11] Infinity Foods contributes food and goods to food distribution charities in Brighton^[2] including Brighton and Hove Food Partnership.^[12]

The Soil Association Certification. The Soil Association is the UK's largest organic certification body, offering comprehensive standards for a wide range of products including food and drink.^[13]