Our thinking

Funding farmers

21 March, 2025

This week Waitrose has been sowing the seeds for a more sustainable future with the launch of its £500,000 fund to help British farms within its supply chain cut their emissions. 

With nearly half of Waitrose customers concerned about the environmental impact of modern agriculture, and farmers facing financial challenges with high inflation and proposed inheritance tax changes, this comes at a crucial time. As part of Waitrose’s Farming for Nature programme, the fund will support farms to implement initiatives such as rainwater capture tanks, sustainable fertilisers, investment in low carbon heating systems or soil friendly machinery to help decarbonise the farming industry.  

The fund builds on Waitrose’s earlier £1 million investment for Farming for Nature, which is already helping farmers shift towards nature-friendly practices that boost long-term financial resilience and tackle biodiversity loss. It also complements Waitrose’s broader sustainability efforts, including a partnership with digital mapping tool Land App to help farmers implement regenerative practices.  

Applications for the £500,000 fund are open to Waitrose’ suppliers until 13 April 2025, with a steering group set to select the winning projects. So, keep your eyes peeled for the results! 

Whilst Waitrose’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions for its UK farming supply base by 2035 and across its entire supply chain by 2050 is no small feat, they’re clearly rooting for success. 

By Charlotte Pounder