Biona Organic

The Biona story begins in the 1970s on the west coast of Ireland, where co-founder Noel McDonald was learning to live off the land. Passion for respectfully grown produce firmly established, he moved to London to open one of the country’s earliest organic focused shops: Windmill Wholefoods in Fulham. A year later a vegetarian, wholefood restaurant was added, providing delicious healthy lunch and suppers.

There, Noel met fellow organic advocate Donata Berger. With their shared motivation to bring the benefits of organic to more people, the pair went on to found the UK’s first organic company, Windmill Organics. In 1992, they created a brand they would be proud to stock. The company’s first brand would be about purely organic, ethically and sustainably sourced food. Delicious food. They named it Biona: Bio being the root of the word for ‘organic’ in many languages, and na from ‘nature’.

Biona operates on the knowledge that organic food has a positive impact – for the environment, for wildlife and for those that eat it. Their mission remains to make it easy for people to choose food that’s good for you and great for the planet.

All Biona products are grown on organic land to the highest welfare and environmental standards. This means they produce premium quality, nutrient-packed ingredients, while enhancing soil quality. Local wildlife is protected, and local waterways are free from chemical leaching. All of their products are free from GMO, preservatives, and artificial pesticides. Biona exclude air freight from logistics, avoiding the extra emissions that come with flying which can be up to 50 times more carbon dioxide emissions compared with sea freight.

The headquarters are run on 100% renewable energy and nearly 70% of the Biona range is produced with renewable energy, too. They’re ahead of the curve on plastic-free, offering many products in glass jars and switching to cardboard and paper on many more. Plus, they’re hot on food waste, partnering with charities to get good food to people that need it.

At the heart of it all, they’re committed to creating a healthier future for you and the planet.

Noel and Donata still play an active role in the business, alongside their two daughters and a growing team of engaged co-workers who make every day happen. They consider it an extended-family affair:

The Biona Organic family reaches far beyond the founders and our co-workers, it also includes our loyal customers, as together we build a future based on trust and protecting nature.

Noel, founder of Biona