Waitrose is committing to support more than 2,000 of its British farmers to move to nature-friendly farming practices, helping to boost financial resilience of farms in the long-term and combat the effects of climate change.
Waitrose has unveiled a new initiative ‘Farming for Nature’ which allows it to work with its British farmers to move to nature-friendly farming.
The new initiative builds on Waitrose’s commitment to reach net zero across Waitrose’s UK farms by 2035, and the entire supply chain by 2050. And comes in response to an industry wide need to move to more resilient farming methods and demand from Waitrose customers with 40% worried about the impact that modern farming has on nature and wildlife.
Regenerative agriculture is a way of farming that focuses on improving the health of the soil and the environment, making it healthier and more productive. It helps tackle issues such as top-soil erosion – the loss of the most fertile layer of soil – which is being accelerated by some farming methods and can make it harder to grow crops. This, among other concerns, is why change is needed now to ensure food security in the future.
Unveiling the plans to its British farmers at the Waitrose farm in Hampshire, the Leckford Estate where Waitrose has been farming regeneratively since 2020, Executive Director James Bailey committed the supermarket to play its part revolutionising the British food system.
In his speech to farmers, James Bailey announced that Waitrose will work with them to produce food that works in harmony with nature, to source meat, milk, eggs, fruit and vegetables from UK farms which use regenerative practices by 2035.
Speaking to farmers at the Waitrose farm, James Bailey, Waitrose Executive Director, said:
“We want Waitrose customers to know that when they shop with us, they are voting with their purses and wallets for a food system that restores and works in harmony with the natural world, and that supports a financially sustainable future for British farmers.
“We have a duty to help our farmers make the move towards more nature-friendly growing, and we’re committed to playing our part in the revolution that our country’s food system requires.”
