Tesco has underlined its commitment to British horticulture by becoming the first of the ‘Big Four’ supermarkets to sign up to the National Farmers’ Union (NFU’s) Fruit & Veg Pledge.
The grocery giant has also strengthened its commitment to increasing the amount of vegetables in people’s diets by supporting The Food Foundation’s Peas Please pledge.
Designed to nurture long-lasting relationships between retailers and growers, the NFU’s Fruit & Veg pledge highlights the importance of:
- treating suppliers fairly,
- reducing food waste and
- buying more British fruit and veg when it’s in season.
The move sees Tesco join Aldi, Lidl and The Co-op, who have already signed up to the pledge. It also builds on a range of steps taken by Tesco to redefine its relationship with suppliers over the last three years – steps that have led it be named the most improved retailer in the Groceries Code Adjudicator’s most recent annual survey.
Tesco has also committed to support The Food Foundation’s Peas Please initiative, which is focused on making it easier for more people to eat more vegetables. As part of this, Tesco has pledged to prioritise increasing the amount of vegetables when developing recipes and introducing new products, and ensure more vegetable options are included in evening meal deals. In addition, the retailer will continue to work with its supplier partners to develop new products to increase overall consumption of vegetables, as it works to help customers make healthier food choices.
Tesco’s chief product officer Jason Tarry said: “British farmers and growers produce fantastic quality food and we believe if we invest in them for the long-term, our customers will enjoy better quality, affordable food today and tomorrow.
“Signing The Food Foundation’s Peas Please pledge also underlines our commitment to help our customers make healthier choices by making it easier to eat more vegetables, which in turn helps support our British farmers and growers too.”
NFU President Meurig Raymond said: “By offering this vital certainty and commitment, Tesco’s suppliers of fruit and veg will be in a stronger position to invest in their business, plan for the future, boost productivity and compete in a global marketplace. By signing up to the pledge, Tesco is telling suppliers it has started the journey of delivering ever higher standards of business integrity, which we are very proud of.”
Photo credit – Tesco press office