What is regenerative food production?

Nature is inherently regenerative; living systems exist where everything is a resource for something else. However, how food is produced does not always align with the cyclical patterns of nature. Instead, the food economy has moved towards a one-directional system of using finite resources disposed of when finished with. The process can pollute and degrade natural systems, thus driving issues such as climate change and biodiversity loss.

Regenerative food production can reduce emissions by using fewer synthetic inputs and improve soil health by restoring organic matter and biodiversity levels. In addition, it can make harvests more reliable and resilient with healthier soils that are more likely to withstand the effects of climate change.

Examples of regenerative farming practices:

• Minimising soil disturbances

• Using cover crops and rotating the crop types

• Increasing crop diversity through mixed cropping

• Integrating trees

• Rotational grazing of livestock

• Using organic matter for inputs

Our growers are some of the leading exponents of responsible agriculture within the UK. We are working with our growers and customers to improve education on regenerative agricultural practices and their benefits to the UK horticultural industry in providing high-quality produce for many generations.