waitrose leckford regenerative agriculture farming cows

Source: Waitrose / Leckford Estate

In May, Waitrose set out plans to support over 2,000 of its British farmers to transition to more to nature-friendly production processes, including regenerative and low-carbon farming

The food and drink industry is at a crucial crossroads. We face significant challenges regarding climate change and public health. Our supply chains are under pressure from extreme weather, and the rise in health issues related to poor diets is hard to ignore.

It’s clear we’re in a serious situation, but the pace of change can feel painfully slow. Many businesses are making strides, but too often they get stuck in a cycle of small wins that don’t really address the larger issues at hand. The truth is that no single company can solve these problems alone. Our future hinges on collaboration.

We’ve seen firsthand that real transformation can happen quickly when industries come together. The pandemic taught us that breaking down barriers can lead to impressive results. Now is the time to harness that same spirit to tackle the climate and health crises directly.

We need partnerships that extend beyond simple transactions and focus on meaningful, scalable solutions.

Real change comes from collaboration

In the UK, there are already encouraging examples showing that collaboration can drive real change. Take Morrisons, for instance. It has teamed up with FareShare and Newton to tackle food poverty by redistributing surplus food to local communities. This initiative not only addresses food insecurity but also reduces waste in the supply chain.

Similarly, Sainsbury’s has made headlines with innovative packaging that significantly cuts plastic waste in its mushroom line, which helps lower emissions too. Waitrose is also making progress, collaborating with farmers to implement regenerative farming practices that enhance soil health and benefit local communities.

waitrose leckford regenerative agriculture farming

Source: Waitrose / Leckford Estate

Waitrose’s orchard and vineyards at the Leckford Estate in Hampshire became the first in the UK to achieve Regenified certification

We need to ask ourselves: why aren’t we seeing more urgency from our leaders when it comes to transforming food systems? And why are the opportunities not presented for the industry to collaborate in a meaningful way?

Real change must come from the top, but far too many senior leaders seem to be sitting on the sidelines. At the Future Food Movement, we have launched a Supper Club series to allow senior leaders, often competitors, to collaborate to tackle these challenges, share practical strategies, and build the momentum we need. We aim to ensure climate is always on the agenda. 

Collaboration isn’t just a nice-to-have. It’s essential for driving innovation and staying competitive. To make genuine progress, businesses must move beyond basic commitments and embed collaboration into their core operations.

Consumers are demanding this shift, and the market is changing. One significant obstacle is the skills gap – many companies want to act but often lack the necessary knowledge. This is where collaboration becomes vital. When industry leaders unite to share insights and resources, they empower their teams to lead the charge on climate and health initiatives.

The message is clear: we must work together or risk being left behind. Collaboration is no longer optional. It’s the path forward for the food industry to not just survive, but truly thrive.