Waitrose has invested £1 million and formed new partnerships with the Soil Association Exchange and Regenified to accelerate its backing of regenerative farming.
The initiative represents a significant milestone in the retailer’s Farming for Nature programme, which seeks to help 2,000 British farms transition to regenerative methods by 2030 and achieve net zero across all UK farms by 2035.
Waitrose farming for nature and Leckford director Andrew Hoad said: “We are delighted to bring both Soil Association Exchange and Regenified into our Farming for Nature programme.”
“Their expertise will be vital in developing our approach, providing monitoring, measuring impact and demonstrating progress.'
Meanwhile, the retailer says it has become the first UK supermarket to certify regenerative farming at scale. Its own Leckford Estate farm has been using regenerative methods since 2020 and is now the first UK orchard and vineyard to earn Regenified certification.
Hoad added: “Our commitment to regenerative farming reflects our belief that producing high-quality food and caring for the environment go hand in hand. We are leading the way in backing British farmers, protecting nature, meeting climate goals, and building a sustainable and resilient food system from the ground up.”
The partnership with the Soil Association Exchange will introduce a four-year programme across key Waitrose supply chains, using data on soil health, biodiversity, water, carbon, animal welfare, and social impact to track and demonstrate environmental progress.
“Farmers want to do the right thing for nature and their businesses, but they need clear evidence, trusted advice, and fair reward,” said Soil Association Exchange Joseph Gridley. “Through this partnership, Waitrose is helping farmers turn robust data into practical changes on the ground, backed by the advice and support they need.”
In a parallel initiative, Waitrose is partnering with Regenified, a global leader in regenerative agriculture verification, to provide 100 farms with free access to its certification framework over a three-year period.
“We are honoured to join Waitrose and the Soil Association Exchange in this forward-thinking programme,” said Salar Shemirani, co-founder and CEO of Regenified. “Their commitment to giving farmers the tools, data and independent verification they need to build resilient, nature-friendly businesses is a testament to their foresight.”