Howfield's commitment to using locally-sourced fresh seasonal food is an important features of the restaurant and has a direct environmental benefit by reducing food miles, our overall carbon footprint and has a positive effect in the local community.

A long-term environmental strategy is in place at Howfield, covering a wide range of issues, but at opening and for the first year of operation, the following measures are in place:

• most of the light bulbs are energy saving
• members of staff use alternative transport wherever possible, eg foot, bike, bus
• all garden waste is composted and we are looking into composting kitchen and food waste
• the refurbishment work included a significant element of re-use of materials.

Howfield supported the Pilgrim's Hospice in Canterbury in 2009 and are supporting Cruse, the bereavement charity in 2010.