Stock your cupboard with ingredients you can trust not just for taste but for the people and communities behind them.
Suma has been filling kitchens with organic, natural and fair trade food since 1977. Their mission is simple: good food, done fairly. From cupboard staples to speciality items, they focus on sourcing responsibly and supporting producers who share their values.
A different kind of food business
What sets Suma apart is their structure. They’re a worker owned co-op, meaning there are no bosses and everyone is treated equally. Suma is Europe’s largest equal pay co-op, built on principles of fairness, integrity and sustainability.
That difference matters. It means the people who make the business work are the same people who benefit from it. Not just shareholders or external owners.
Transparent supply chains you can trust
You don’t have to guess where your food comes from. Suma keeps their supply chains transparent and prioritise working with other co-ops and likeminded ethical producers whenever possible.
So, when you choose Suma, you’re choosing a brand that has already done the research for you and that’s a rare thing in today’s food market.
A small step towards a fairer food system
Suma isn’t just about selling food, they’re about supporting a fairer, more sustainable world. Every item is a small vote for better farming, fair pay, and ethical sourcing.
If you want store cupboard staples that do more than just feed you, Suma is a simple way to make your everyday food choices more ethical, without compromising on quality or convenience.
Have you come across a product on Natural Collection you didn’t think was quite in line with our values? Natural, ethical, sustainable, eco-friendly… these unassuming terms mean lots of different things to different people, and it’s impossible to settle on a single definition that’ll satisfy everybody. We value transparency and honesty above all else, so here’s a quick overview of how we decide what brands to stock.
It would be great if everything we stocked satisfied all of these conditions, but that’s just not possible. No product is perfect! In striving to bring you a wide range of products, it’s inevitable that they will meet different ethical standards in different ways.
Certification
Organic tea
When you think “fair trade”, you probably think of the Fairtrade Foundation and their reassuring Fairtrade mark. There’s certainly a lot of value in ethical products being so clearly signposted. But Fairtrade certification is expensive and often inaccessible to the smaller businesses we like to support. Organic certifications can be equally difficult to procure. So we’ll flag up those credentials when they’re present, but we’re also diligent about forming close relationships with trustworthy brands who prioritise transparency.
Animal welfare
Vegan pet food
Almost everything we sell is vegetarian friendly – the only exceptions are pet food and seafood. We do also stock vegan pet food, but it’s a widely debated topic and we feel it’s best to let you decide what’s best for your pets.
Our seafood products are supplied by Fish4Ever, who uphold extremely high standards of sustainability, including pole-and-line fishing for tuna to eliminate by-catch. In a huge market dominated by poor sustainability practises, we believe this is a valuable alternative to offer.
Animal welfare issues don’t stop there. We don’t stock any products that have been tested on animals, and we never will – that’s a promise. Look out for the Leaping Bunny symbol for extra reassurance that what you’re buying is cruelty-free. You also won’t find real fur, feathers, leather, angora, silk or down in anything we sell.
Eco friendly
Palm oil is a widely used commodity linked to multiple ethical concerns, both environmental and in terms of human rights. Many of the products we stock are palm oil free – but not all. You can be sure that any palm oil found in our products is sustainably sourced and no one in the supply chain has been exploited in the process. This still isn’t ideal by any means, but it’s such a common ingredient – found in roughly half of all packaged goods worldwide – that we feel it’s better to offer sustainable alternatives than no alternatives at all.
Everything we stock is free from GMO ingredients. The possibility of cross-contamination remains an issue, which is where the Non-GMO Project Verified tag can provide extra reassurance with its stringent testing standards.
Empowering you
Ultimately, we believe in keeping you informed so that you can make your own purchasing decisions. That’s why every product is tagged with its ethical credentials, and we strive to provide as much supplementary information as possible – country of origin, nature of packaging materials, etc. In this way, you’re able to make informed choices and Buy What You Believe.
Ethical fashion often comes with a reputation for being expensive. Higher price tags can make it feel inaccessible, especially when fast fashion offers constant discounts and low upfront costs. But when you look beyond the price tag, ethical fashion is much more affordable than it first appears.
Beyond the price tag
Fast fashion prices are low because many of the real costs are hidden. Environmental damage, unsafe working conditions and unfair wages aren’t reflected on the tag.
Ethical fashion does the opposite. The price reflects:
fair wages
safe working conditions
responsible sourcing of materials
less waste
higher quality construction
What looks “expensive” upfront is often just honest pricing.
Fewer, better pieces
Fast fashion encourages constant replacement. Trends move quickly, fabrics wear out, and items lose shape after a few washes. This leads to repeat spending, even if each purchase feels small.
Ethical fashion supports a buy less, buy better approach. Each product typically has stronger seams and better fabrics while collections tend to feature thoughtful design over trends. Plus, individual pieces often work across seasons for longevity.
Quality that lasts
Well made clothing not only lasts longer, it’s also easier to live with. Ethical garments are often:
less prone to pilling or tearing
designed to wash well at lower temperatures
repairable, rather than disposable
That means fewer replacements and less money spent fixing or replacing items that fail prematurely.
Sales that don’t compromise your values
Ethical fashion sales can be a great opportunity to invest in high quality pieces at a lower price. Unlike fast fashion discounts designed to drive overconsumption, ethical sales often reflect responsible stock management and seasonal transitions.
It’s a chance to access pieces made to last.
Ethical fashion isn’t about spending more, it’s about spending differently. When you factor in longevity, cost per wear, and the true cost of production, ethical clothing is often far more economical than it appears.
Choosing less, better made pieces doesn’t just support fairer systems, it makes financial sense too.
We’re Christmas lovers here at Natural Collection, but there’s no denying its unfortunate reputation as the holiday of gaudy, disposable junk. Decorations are especially notorious for being thrown away as soon as January comes around. But it doesn’t have to be this way. Let us guide you through the holiday season with some sustainable decorative suggestions.
Baubles
Nkuku’s gorgeous baubles are made from recycled waste glass – washed, crushed, melted down and blown to create amazing new forms. We particularly like the elegant shapes of the Manipur range, available in ruby, indigo and smoke. The Adisa bauble jar is a good option if you’re looking for a range of colours and shapes. (Don’t worry, the jar’s recycled glass too).
If there’s kids around you might prefer something a bit less breakable. Papier mâché is a lightweight, durable and eco-friendly option. We’ve got floral designs from Fair to Trade, Shared Earth and Dalit Goods – all handmade in India to high fair trade standards.
Tree decorations
Baubles a bit passé? There’s no limit to the sorts of things you can hang on your tree. We have handmade pewter decorations in various festive shapes, including robins and mistletoe. Or recycled aluminium silver snowflakes and gold stars.
If you’re going for a softer, more colourful vibe, why not check out these adorable handmade felt penguins and acorns? Or look to Ian Snow, whose embroidered decorations are eco-friendly and free from plastic (except for a bit of recycled plastic as filling). Their candy canes and gingerbread houses will give your tree a touch of colourful charm.
Garlands
Fans of the felt tree decorations can carry that aesthetic into the rest of the house too. These felt garlands, in gingerbread man and mistletoe varieties, have the same cuddly appeal and the same fair trade origins.
Ornaments
If the typical maximalist Christmas style doesn’t fit your décor, here’s something a little more stripped back. Ian Snow’s origami Christmas trees might not replace the real thing, but they’re available in a range of colours from yellow to lilac to slate grey – made from recycled paper and 100% plastic free.
December is approaching, and as the nights draw in you might be starting to get serious about Christmas shopping. It’s also the time of year where everyone’s in need of a bit of pampering. Check out our top picks for beauty and wellbeing gifts, all guaranteed to be 100% vegan friendly.
Skin care
Winter might bring beautiful snow-covered scenery, but it’s also a recipe for chapped lips, cold hands and dry skin. Keeping stocked up on skin care is a must. Weleda’s face care gift set is the perfect protection against the winter winds. Throw in a lip balm set from Fruu to keep your lips soft and soothed. If something a little manlier is called for, the men’s care set from Benecos might be the way to go.
If your gloves aren’t keeping the cold out well enough, your hands might need a little extra attention. The Highland Soap Co’s hand care gift sets come in a variety of scents, from sweet orange & cinnamon to Hebridean seaweed. Each one contains hand wash and lotion in a hand stitched tweed bag.
That’s not the only way to liven up a bath. Fikkerts offer a series of natural bath essences, attractively presented in highly giftable bottles. Choose from amber, jasmine or lavender.
Kids
No reason why your kids shouldn’t get in on the self-care fun. Younger children will enjoy the Peppa Pig set from Good Bubble, a collection of bath & body products with soft scents and mild formulas ideal for sensitive skin. Bramley’s Little B range also keeps things gentle, whether it’s a body wash cracker or a gift set full of soothing bathtime products.
If they’re a little bit older, a Green People Clear Skin Goals set might be just the ticket. It’s designed for teens and tweens and includes special acne fighting ingredients.
Wellbeing
Beat the winter blues with some much needed aromatherapy. Tisserand’s essential oil collections can help with various seasonal malaises; whether it’s aiding sleep, reducing stress or balancing mood, there’s bound to be someone in your life who needs it. Or cover all bases with a daily essentials kit.
Neal’s Yard Remedies also offer two appealing gift sets: Me Time Ritual, part of their Women’s Balance range, and Sweet Dreams Ritual, designed to help you drift off to sleep – handy for the excitement of Christmas Eve.
There’s a chill in the air – time to dig your winter clothes out of the wardrobe and see how they’re holding up. As the weather gets colder, it pays to be aware of the qualities of different fabrics, especially when layering. And your nice warm jumper’s a lot less warm with holes in it. Here are our top tips for taking care of your clothes this winter.
Cotton
An easy one to start. Cotton doesn’t take much looking after, but there are still ways to maximise its life and keep it looking its best. As always, it’s best to check the laundry instructions on each garment, but in most cases a 30 degree wash will suffice – there’s no need to go higher unless you’re dealing with some serious dirt. For stains, try a spot clean first.
Drying on a washing line (preferably outside) is better than tumble drying, which can affect the shape of the garment. But beware of direct sunlight, which can cause colours to fade and fabric to weaken. Not that we’re expecting much sunlight this winter. Get layering with a White Stuff crew neck jumper or a zip hoodie from Silverstick.
Polyester
Another durable choice, but there’s risk of shrinkage or colour fading if the laundry temperature gets too high. Avoid using bleach and harsh detergents as far as possible. Polyester is quick drying, too, so a low tumble dryer temperature will do the trick. If you’re drying on a line, direct sunlight is once again best avoided.
Wool’s combination of warmth and breathability makes it a popular winter choice. It’s also a very long-lasting material if you look after it properly. Don’t over-wash! Wool has natural antibacterial properties, so there’s no need to wash as often as you would other fabrics. Let the garment air to get rid of odours and take a damp cloth to any stains.
When you do wash it, put it on a delicate cycle and a low temperature, or wash by hand. Don’t hang it up to dry – you risk letting it stretch and lose its shape. It’s best to dry it flat instead, and the same approach is also advised when putting it in the wardrobe. You might also want to let it “rest” regularly instead of wearing on consecutive days.
For a lot of people, Christmas is a time for not worrying about what you eat. But that’s not so easy when you’ve got a dietary restriction to think about.
Here at Natural Collection we’re offering 20% off all vegan groceries until 23:59 17th November, so it’s the perfect time to get stocked up on festive goodies. Here’s some of our favourites.
Advent calendars
Many people’s first taste of Christmas comes on December 1st when the first door of the advent calendar is opened. Dark chocolate’s a safe bet for vegans, with Divine offering a full month of cocoa-rich treats. But your options don’t stop there. Treat yourself to a Mummy Meegz choccy ball every day of December, or check out So Free’s festive calendar – both oatmilk-based. Moo Free even offer a white chocolate alternative.
Or leave chocolate behind altogether with Candy Kittens, who’ll liven up your December with a variety of vegan, gelatine-free sweet treats. If you’re not so much of a sweet tooth, English Tea Shop offer a number of fun flavour journeys through their varied catalogue of organic blends. It’s a great way to try out a wide range of flavours if you’re unsure where to start, and it’ll keep you warm this winter.
Chocolate
But it wouldn’t be Christmas without chocolate – and with our help, veganism needn’t limit your options. Goupie’s boozy chocolates are a great way to get into the festive spirit. Swap out your Quality Street for a tub of vegan-friendly Catherine’s Originals. And perennial favourites Booja Booja offer a dizzying array of chocolatey truffles, from salted caramel to espresso, from hazelnut to champagne – you’re bound to find something that suits.
What’s Christmas without mince pies? As long as there’s no beef suet lurking in the pastry, anyway. We’re big fans of Lottie Shaw’s vegan mince pies with their classic star-shaped tops and deliciously sweet filling. If you’re going gluten-free as well, try some “free from” pies from the Village Bakery or Foods of Athenry. If all else fails, grab some mincemeat and get baking!
There’s no need to keep it traditional if you fancy something a bit more unusual. Turkish delight might not be the first thing that comes to mind for a Christmas party, but in flavours as varied as rose and lemon, mixed nut and pomegranate, it’s sure to delight.
Desserts
Now for the main event. Treat the whole family to a Lillypuds Christmas pudding, packed full of real fruit and brandy and completely vegan-friendly and gluten-free. So is the Authentic Bread Co pudding, which is also available in an individual 100g portion – perfect for that situation where everyone in the family wants something different.
Hopefully we’ve shown veganism needn’t be an impediment to a rich and varied Yuletide banquet – not with a little help from Natural Collection. Check out the full range here.
Both products contain PotassiumMetabisulphite, which is a source of the allergen Sulphur Dioxide. While Potassium Metabisulphite is shown in bold on the ingredients list, Sulphur Dioxide is not specifically declared. It is, however, incorrectly mentioned in the “may contain” statement.
If you have a Sulphur Dioxide allergy or intolerance, please DO NOT consume this product. If you do not have a Sulphur Dioxide allergy or intolerance the product is safe for consumption.
We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.
We all need cleaning products to be tough on dirt and grime. The problem is that these products tend to be just as harsh on the environment when they inevitably end up there. Chemicals may filter into bodies of water and enter the food chain. Some take a long time to decompose, while others may never break down properly.
What’s needed is a cleaning agent with natural origins, that’s as eco-friendly as it is powerful. As luck would have it, we know just the thing.
White vinegar
White vinegar is the closest thing you can imagine to an all-purpose cleaning product. It’s truly remarkable how many applications it has around the home. It can be used to clean floors, countertops, windows, mirrors, and even rugs and carpets. It even works on chopping boards, scrubbing grills, for polishing jewellery or freshening the inside of the fridge.
The list goes on
A quick splash added to the washing machine can soften fabrics, brighten whites and remove odours
Use it with baking soda to unblock a clogged drain
Mix with washing-up liquid in a dish to trap fruit flies
Add to aloe vera gel and you’ve got a homemade hand sanitiser
About the only thing it can’t do is clean stone, marble or granite surfaces – other than that, let your imagination run wild.
Eco friendliness
Being a natural substance, white vinegar is fully biodegradable and doesn’t leave anything nasty behind on the surfaces it cleans. It’s made from vegan and non-toxic ingredients, via a process that’s a lot less polluting than the production of standard chemical cleaning products. Septic tank owners can rest assured that it won’t harm the bacteria in their tank, either.
All this doesn’t mean you can purchase white vinegar completely free from environmental concerns. Like any other product, it still has to be packaged and transported, and that means it has a carbon footprint – it’s unavoidable. But that’s where Miniml come in.
Miniml
Packaging is a necessary evil with cleaning products, but Miniml’s closed loop system goes a long way towards addressing the issue. After finishing your 750ml bottle of Miniml unscented white vinegar, you can refill with 1L pouches and 5L containers – or even 20L, if you can’t get enough of the stuff. The containers can then be sent back to Miniml, where they’ll be cleaned and reused again and again, getting as much use as possible out of each one.
The same goes for their wild rhubarb and lemon-scented white vinegar, as well as the rest of their product range. They’re a UK-based company too, so their products don’t have to travel far each time.
