British artisan Fudge makers, Fudge Kitchen, completed a rebrand earlier in the year which saw them prioritising ways in which they can minimise their (and their customers) impact on the environment.
The confectionery producers have been making fudge for nearly 40 years, and what started out as a handful of fudge shops has developed into a thriving online and wholesale business, producing confectionery for some of the UK's most prestigious hotels and department stores.
Managing Director, Sian Holt, says: “The rebrand initially came about as we wanted to align the personality of our 6 high street shops with the premium gifting positioning of our wholesale and ecommerce sides. As part of this review, we felt it was the perfect time to explore more sustainable packaging options, introduce more locally sourced ingredients and find ways in which we can give back to the planet.”
The packaging update saw them moving to UK printed packaging, dramatically reducing their carbon footprint. They also switched to plant-based inks and water-based glues, and all packaging is FSC certified and now fully recyclable. As part of the rebrand the Kent based confectioner also switched to a new and more ethical chocolate supplier, Luker Chocolate – a Colombian, family-owned chocolate manufacturer. Alongside this, they are also beginning to phase out internationally grown cane sugar in favour of beet sugar grown in Norfolk.
For Christmas, Fudge Kitchen wanted to create a product that replaced something wasteful and unsustainable, so they created their Luxury Christmas Crackers. You won't find a plastic hopping frog or gimmicky whistle that will no doubt end up in landfill. Instead, each cracker contains three generous squares of butter fudge in their most popular festive flavours – Sea Salted Caramel, Speculoos and Chocolate & Orange. The stylish crackers are the perfect addition to a Christmas tablescape, stocking filler or popped on the tree as a decoration.
Alongside their Christmas Crackers, Fudge Kitchen have an extensive range of other gifting products including their compostable confectionery pouches containing handmade Chocolate Coated Honeycomb, Raspberry Coconut Ice, Rock Salted Peanut Brittle, and Sea Salted Caramel Crumbly Fudge.
The pouches are made from renewable resources - including TIPA bio-based film, NatureFlex cellulose and PaperWise paper, and can be composted in your household food waste (subject to local authority). The compostability is clearly stated on pack, with instructions on how to dispose of it appropriately.
Head of Sales, Rupert Allinson, says “There's a responsibility for all businesses to play their part in tackling the climate emergency. We don't want to just do 'enough' to keep in line with government rules and legislation. Instead, we want to pave our own way, going above and beyond to minimise the impact we have.”
Fudge Kitchen's Luxury Christmas Crackers can be found on the Fudge Kitchen website, in Fudge Kitchen stores, Harvey Nichols, Liberty and Not On The High Street.
