On 8 May, Waitrose announced the launch of its ‘Farming for Nature’ scheme. Under this new initiative, the supermarket will help over 2,000 of its British farmers move towards nature-friendly farming practices.
More specifically, it will develop plans that enable farmers to access affordable finance and provide a market for regeneratively produced food in stores and online. The supermarket will further set up a Centre of Excellence, providing a variety of resources that support the transition from modern to regenerative farming.
With this scheme, Waitrose seeks to boost the financial resilience of its farms, ensure food security, and combat the effects of climate change. Considering that farmers have faced record-breaking rainfall over the past 18 months, addressing the latter is crucial.
It is important to note that farmers are not the only ones concerned about food production in 2024; a recent survey conducted by Waitrose found that 4 in 10 customers are also worried about how modern farming is affecting nature and wildlife. Therefore, the ‘Farming for Nature’ scheme is a response to both the industry’s need to focus on regenerative agriculture and customers’ growing push for sustainability.
James Bailey, Waitrose Executive Director, commented on this:
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.
The ‘Farming for Nature’ scheme will allow Waitrose to source meat, milk, eggs, fruit, and vegetables from UK farms that use regenerative practices by 2035. This is the same year by which it wants to reach net zero across its UK farms.
Featured image: Philip Panting
