Essential Open Day 2023
11:00 - 17:00 on Sunday 24th September 2023
We can't wait to welcome you to Essential Trading Co-operative’s Open Day 2023.
For our open day, we are inviting our wonderful suppliers to exhibit their ethical and conscious products. This will be a great opportunity to meet, greet and network with our suppliers, customers and workers.
The event is taking place on Sunday 24th September 2023 from 11:00 to 17:00 at our warehouse in Fishponds, Bristol.
The Essential Open Day is only for registered customers of Essential Trading.
Event Sponsors
Alter Eco
At Alter Eco, we’ve been making a difference for over 20years. We’ve championed the environment and small producers from the start, and we always will.
Our Chocolate comes from the purest organic ingredients and is sourced in the fairest way possible. It’s eco-friendly, carbon-neutral, Fair trade and more.
Shop | Visit
Clipper
At Clipper, we’ve been making magical teas in Dorset since 1984.
From small beginnings in a Dorset kitchen, we are now the UK’s No.1 Organic and Fairtrade tea brand. We believe that every cup of tea counts, so we strive to deliver the best tasting tea, using the highest quality ingredients, always ethically sourced.
Visit us in the food court to sample a drink from Clipper’s delightful range.
Shop | Visit
Kallo
At Kallo, we believe that eating sensibly shouldn’t mean saying no to the things you love – and that super-tasty food can be super-simple too.
We promise to make light work of healthy eating and inspire you to take pleasure in every single thing you eat, knowing that it has been made the right way.
That’s why all our creations are made with good, honest, natural ingredients and not an artificial additive in sight. So you can have your cake, and eat it.
Shop | Visit
Mrs Crimble's
Since 1979, Mrs Crimbles has been whipping up Gluten-free cakes, Bakes and Nibbles with oodles of know -how and a spoonful of love.
Shop | Visit
Pukka Herbs
Pukka have been making delicious herbal tea that supports people’s health, promotes conservation, and shows off the true brilliance of herbs for over 20 years.
Shop | Visit
Whole Earth
Founded in 1967 by Craig Sams and his brother Gregory to bring natural foods to consumers as he believed they are “better for body and planet”.
They created Whole Earth, pioneering the production of Organic & natural foods that taste great too. These products were made available to a wider market for those who wanted to eat healthy, tasty food and also cared about the planet. We have kept those ideals with us to this day. Whole Earth products will always be made with natural ingredients, sourced from responsible growers and suppliers. We love our products and hope you do too.
Shop | Visit
Exhibitors
Charity Exhibitors
Exclusive Offers
Over 60 brilliant ethical wholefood and household brands will be at this year's event and they will be offering some amazing discounts. There will be literally 100s of products on offer on the day, exclusively for Open Day visitors with up to 50% off on some of your favourites.
Food & Drink
We will be providing a range of amazing vegetarian and vegan food and drink throughout the day! Everything will be included with the price of your ticket (that's £0). All of the businesses below are based within 2.5 miles of our warehouse and they really are some of Bristol's finest. We're also proud to call all of the food suppliers on this list either customers or suppliers or both; it's a circle of wholesome whole foods.
Arbor Ales
Arbor have been brewing authentic craft beers in the heart of Bristol for the best part of twenty years. They really know how to make delicious liquid and put it in a can or glass; you will love them.
More about Arbor Ales
Chiki Monkey
The guys from Chiki Monkey will be bringing their unique brand of vegan street food to the party. Delicious, nutritious and about as local as you can get (we share a postcode).
More about Chiki Monkey
Counter Culture
Counter Culture will be serving their delicious, Bristol Brewed kombucha on tap in the bar.
More about Counter Culture
Everest Bread
Cakes, cookies and amazing breads of all kinds. Ethically sound and super local (you could throw an old ciabatta into Everest's garden from the back of our warehouse).
More about Everest Bread
Radek's Chocolate
We're so pleased that Radek's will be joining us for Open Day. They'll be serving some amazing hot chocolate alongside their legendary vegan brownies! You do not want to miss those bad boys.
More about Radek's Chocolate
Entertainment
Live Music from Biff Bang Pow
Smart Skiffle Rock Quartet sparking up some fiercely fun-packed versions of Country, New Wave and Rock 'n' Roll. They are to music what Snap, Crackle and Pop are to puffed rice.
More about Biff Bang Pow
Fabric printing with the Bristol Print Collective
The collective are going be running drop in workshops where you can print your own colourful designs onto fabric! The workshops are suitable for all ages (bring your kids) and levels and are a great way to explore your creative side.
More about the Bristol Print Collective
Crèche from Pitch Up and Play
Ever wished you could just peruse the pulses in peace? At the Essential Open Day you can. Pitch Up and Play are the "crème de la crème of childcare and entertainment", so when you no longer want to see your children (we've all been there), they will keep them safe and happy so that you enjoy the show and maybe treat yourself to a chocolate brownie without having to hide behind the fridge.
More about Pitch Up and Play
Prize & Charity Draw
There will be two fantastic prize draws at the Essential Open Day; attendees will automatically be entered into a raffle to win boxes of goodies, generously donated by some of our sponsors & exhibitors. Gert lush eh!
If that's not enough for you then please enter Kiptik's Essential Hamper raffle. Tickets are £2 or 3 for £5. All money goes directly to water projects in the autonomous Zapatista communities.
More about Kiptik