Acton Food Company Donates 30,000 Plant-based Meals

Clearspring makes gesture as it celebrates its 30th anniversary

Christopher Dawson (centre) the founder of Clearspring with members of his family

July 11, 2023

Acton-based Japanese and organic fine foods specialist Clearspring is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.

To celebrate the landmark, it has teamed up with its long-term partner, plant-based community cookery school and food charity Made In Hackney, to donate 30,000 free plant-based meals. Made in Hackney, who are celebrating their own 10th anniversary, will work with Clearspring to donate products and cooked meals to families and individuals with emergency support needs.

Clearspring was founded in 1993 by award-winning organic Japanese and plant-based foods pioneer Christopher Dawson. Originally from New Zealand, he came to London to study organic and biodynamic farming and subsequently set-up and ran his own health food shop East West Natural Foods in London in 1977.

Christopher decided to move to Japan in the 1980s to further his understanding of organic agriculture and made the country his home for the next 18 years, working with local artisanal producers to convert and comply with international organic standards. Clearspring was created as a way to help the producers he worked with share their unique traditional and organic products with a global audience.

Initially the company, which is based in the Acton Park Estate, offered Organic Japanese Miso Soups, Teas and Tamari, but now has expanded its range to over 300 products across 30 categories, including Japanese specialities, Tofu, Seasonings, as well as European cold pressed oils, vinegars, snacks, purees, pasta and pasta sauces. All Clearspring products are plant-based, refined sugar free and made without the use of artificial additives or ingredients. Clearspring is available in over 60 countries around the world

Maria Dawson, Managing Director at Clearspring said, “Reaching 30 years as an independent family business is a great achievement to celebrate. We wanted to take this opportunity to make a concerted effort to give back with our pledge to donate 30,000 free plant-based meals”. Alongside the food donation pledge, Clearspring will be fundraising throughout the year to support the important work Made in Hackney is doing. Clearspring will also partner with other organisations including City Harvest, who help to distribute food to over 350 local charities offering food support to local communities.

“We also wanted to say thank you to everyone who has helped us reach this 30-year milestone. Thank you to the brilliant Clearspring team, the fantastic organic and Demeter certified farmers and artisan food producers, the committed wholesalers and retailers who stock our products and the loyal shoppers who choose to add Clearspring to their baskets every day. Your continued support is helping us to realise our dream to create a more sustainable future and is enabling us to work and play to convert one more acre back to organic each day.”

Donated meals being assembled at Made in Hackney

Sarah Bentley, founder of Made in Hackney said, "Made In Hackney and Clearspring believe everyone should have access to high quality, healthy food that's good for people and the planet. Clearspring have supported our community cookery classes, meal service and fundraising activities with their incredible products for many years. We're delighted to partner with them now to provide 30,000 free plant-based meals to households with food support needs as part of Clearspring’s 30-year anniversary."