Across its entire global produce supply chain, Tesco has implemented the LEAF Marque system to set higher environmental standards for its 14,000 fresh produce growers.
By the end of 2022, all growers in the UK will be certified and the retailer will begin certifying the rest of the grower base around the world from 2023 and complete the program by 2025. LEAF’s current supply base has never seen such a significant rollout before.
The Chief Product Officer at Tesco, Ashwin Prasad, says: “In this decade of action on climate and nature, it’s vital we do all we can to produce food more sustainably. Implementing the LEAF marque Standard will help drive environmental improvements across thousands of growers and suppliers, both here in the UK and globally. But we can’t achieve the transformational change needed alone – we’re calling on the whole of the food industry to join us in raising environmental standards to ensure the food we eat is produced sustainably.”
The LEAF CEO, Caroline Drummond, says: “This is a hugely significant and transformative moment in LEAF’s 30-year history. Tesco’s commitment will bring real and lasting changes in food production and offer assurance to consumers that their purchasing decisions are having a positive impact on our climate. We are extremely excited as we embark on this landmark relationship. Together, we will continue to “raise the bar” for the good of our planet and future generations.’’
