ESG at Localist: Our Responsibilities in Action

At Localist, ESG responsibilities are built into how we work every day. They guide our decisions and support our mission to champion smaller local businesses, promote local economies and connect great local food with customers. This approach helps us deliver on our purpose while protecting the planet and supporting communities.

What ESG Means to Us

ESG is built into our business model. From reducing food miles to supporting local supply chains, we take practical steps that make a difference. These actions create value for suppliers and buyers while helping us operate responsibly.

Environmental

We help reduce food miles by connecting local food suppliers UK with major customers in their communities. Our sites run on renewable energy, and through the Localist Buying Club, we offer renewable energy options to suppliers. We track our carbon footprint, recycle everything we can, and donate office equipment for reuse—sending no waste to landfill.

Social

Everything we do champions smaller local businesses and promotes local economies by driving local spend and creating local jobs. We support charitable initiatives and match fund donations for colleagues who back local causes. Every colleague can volunteer one day a year for a local project. We provide flexible working policies, mental health support, and maintain a zero-tolerance stance on modern slavery—acting ethically and with integrity.

Governance

Our values—Courage, Confidence, Collaboration—guide how we work. We report performance transparently and review ESG progress monthly at Executive level. Every colleague has clear objectives aligned with our long-term strategy. We pay at least the National Living Wage and maintain Cyber Essentials Plus accreditation for security.

Partner with Localist

When you work with Localist, you join a local food virtual marketplace that values responsibility as much as results. Together, we can make supply chains stronger, fairer, and more sustainable. If you share these values, partner with us today and explore how to become a UK retail food supplier or connect with UK foodservice through our platform.