Waitrose plays an important role in transforming the food system, working towards more sustainable food that supports both people and the planet. We want our Food Lovers to feel confident in what they buy, knowing that Waitrose is committed to ethical sourcing and sustainability every step of the way.
Over a third of the 2,800 acres of land that makes up the Leckford Estate is not farmed but is managed in a way that enhances biodiversity. This land is made up of water meadows, woodlands, hedgerows, wildflower meadows, field margins and other dedicated non-farmed areas. Creating habitats for wild birds, pollinators and rare arable plants. Our priorities are:
To help promote biodiversity, our 500 beef suckler herd will graze the extensive semi-natural areas of water meadows and chalk grassland that stretch out from the banks of the River Test that flows through the middle of Leckford Estate.
Fodder for our cattle - maize, lucerne, and rotational grass leys - is grown on the Estate. Waitrose is committed to the highest standards of animal welfare - not just meeting regulations, but going beyond them. For example -
Our goal? To be a global leader in how animals are treated in the food supply chain.
It’s about making the healthy choice the easy choice. We want to empower customers to eat well:
We grow many different crops at the Leckford Estate, but the main one is wheat and as part of our regenerative crop rotation, we grow barley, oats and rapeseed too. Our high-quality, cold-pressed rapeseed oil, for example, is made using oilseed rape grown on our farm. Not only does it taste great, but it’s also packed with beneficial omega 3, 6 and 9. Click below to see more about this process.
Waitrose wants to cut food waste at every stage in the food production and consumption cycle:
We’re aiming for a future with less waste and more responsibility.
This is all about producing food in a way that protects and restores the environment.
Regenerative farming is key to delivering this change. Read on to understand more.