Lidl has become the second UK retailer to sign up to the NFU’s fruit and veg pledge - which aims to champion best practice and strengthen ties between retailers, growers and suppliers in the fresh produce supply chain.
The retailer follows Aldi, which signed up to the pledge last year, while the NFU hoped to recruit other big supermarket chains “as soon as possible”, said NFU horticulture and potatoes board chair Ali Capper.
The pledge is designed to cultivate better relationships throughout the produce supply chain, and contains a total of 11 clauses, which includes offering greater price certainty for growers, paying growers on time, treating suppliers fairly in accordance with the Groceries Supply Code of Practice, and committing to increasing the proportion of British fruit and veg on sale when in season.
Lidl has also promised to invest in horticultural research, development and product innovation and will “reduce wastage, eliminate costs and add more value to the supply chain by seeking out opportunities to use the whole crop and adopting realistic product specifications”.
By throwing its weight behind the initiative to back British farmers, Lidl had “underlined its commitment to working in a sustainable way with all of its growers”, it said. “With a dedicated buying team and flat reporting structure, Lidl has gained an in-depth understanding of the importance of developing long-term relationships with growers that enable them to invest and grow, contributing to a profitable British fresh produce sector.”
The retailer has also pledged to continue its ongoing promotional activity with growers, including the ‘Pick of the Week’ promotions, which are designed to provide flexibility and security to its supply base through crop availability-led planning.
The commitment was welcomed by the NFU’s Capper. “Our goal is to generate integrity, honesty and openness across the market and that can only come from the key asks within our pledge - which includes price certainty, transparent working and strong, long-term relationships that are fair for everyone involved,” she said.
“Lidl, with its already long history of working closely with its suppliers, is an ideal candidate to make the pledge,” Capper added.
“We’re very proud to have developed and maintained strong, long-standing relationships with all our suppliers, and our commitment to the NFU pledge cements this further,” said Lidl UK commercial director Ryan McDonnell.
“We’re also very keen to ensure our sourcing process supports the growth and development of UK growers, which is vital in encouraging more and more people, particularly our shoppers, to regularly eat more fruit and veg.”
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