Waitrose has been awarded the Sustainable Meals and Farming Award for its groundbreaking “Farming for Nature” initiative on the Compassion in World Farming (CiWF) 2024 Good Farm Animal Welfare Awards.
This prestigious accolade recognises Waitrose’s dedication to supporting its UK farmers in producing greater welfare meat, dairy, fruit, greens and eggs in ways in which defend, enhance, and restore wildlife and the atmosphere.
The award highlights Waitrose’s work on the Leckford Property, the one farm owned by a British grocery store. Spanning 2,800 acres in Hampshire, the farm is a mannequin for regenerative agricultural practices. A 3rd of the property is devoted to biodiversity, with the remaining land managed utilizing regenerative agriculture ideas to boost the pure atmosphere.
Since 2019, Waitrose has rigorously examined and measured numerous regenerative farming practices at Leckford, primarily based on six core ideas. These practices have delivered environmental advantages, together with elevated biodiversity, improved soil well being, lowered carbon emissions and decreased chemical inputs.
Constructing on the success at Leckford, Waitrose is increasing its regenerative farming initiative to quite a lot of satellite tv for pc farms and has dedicated to sourcing all UK meat, milk, eggs, fruit, and greens from farms utilizing regenerative practices by 2035.
To additional promote sustainable farming, Waitrose plans to remodel Leckford right into a Regenerative Agriculture Centre of Excellence. This centre will present schooling, instruments and inspiration to different farmers interested by adopting regenerative practices.
“We want a resilient meals system that’s kinder to nature and acknowledges the unimaginable worth of wholesome soil,” stated Andrew Hoad, head of Leckford Property. “We consider a regenerative method has the potential to attain this. We’re excited to increase our work at Leckford by now working with different farmers in supporting the transition to regenerative agriculture throughout our UK-based farmers and growers.”
Dr Tracey Jones, world director of meals enterprise, Compassion in World Farming stated: “Waitrose has lengthy been a pacesetter in farm animal welfare, and this yr we’re proud to recognise their management in advancing sustainability by means of regenerative, low-carbon farming at their Leckford Property. Their holistic method to tackling broader environmental points is delivering constructive outcomes for elevated biodiversity, more healthy soils, and lowered carbon emissions. Their dedication to transitioning all UK provide chain farms to regenerative practices by 2035 and remodeling Leckford right into a Regenerative Agriculture Centre of Excellence is actually commendable.”
This award underscores Waitrose’s management in sustainable farming and its dedication to producing high-quality meals with minimal environmental impression.
