UK supermarket chain Asda is set to ramp up the amount of food it sources
from Britain as part of a sustainable agriculture programme set up by
parent company Walmart.

Asda plans to source £270M of food more from British producers by 2013
– with around £70M coming from local specialist food suppliers. The new
target represents a 15% increase in the company’s annual sales of
specialist local food.

Local sourcing is not new to Asda; it has been doing it since 2002 and
currently stocks more than 6,000 local products from more than 500
suppliers.

Asda will also, alongside Walmart’s US business, only use sustainably-
produced palm oil in own-brand products by the end of 2015, a move that
will cut greenhouse gas emissions by 5M metric tonnes by that date.

“Through sustainable agriculture, Walmart is uniquely positioned to
make a positive difference in food production for farmers, communities and
customers,” said Walmart chief executive Mike Duke.

“Our efforts will help increase farmer incomes, lead to more efficient
use of pesticides, fertiliser and water and provide fresher produce for our
customers.”

asda.com / walmart.com

Action inspires action. Stay ahead of the curve with sustainability and energy newsletters from edie

Subscribe