Lidl commits to the NFU Fruit and Vegetable Pledge

Lidl UK has announced its commitment to the NFU‘s Fruit and Vegetable Pledge.

The Pledge champions best practice in the fresh producer sector and is designed to cultivate strong and longstanding relationships between retailers, intermediaries and growers. 

With a dedicated buying team and flat reporting structure, Lidl has gained an in-depth understanding of the importance of developing long-term working practices with growers that enable them to invest and grow, contributing to a profitable British fresh produce sector. Backing the pledge highlights the company’s commitment to putting security for suppliers, fair terms, price certainty and elimination of waste top of the agenda

Lidl has also pledged to continue its on-going promotional activity with growers, including the ‘Pick of the Week’ promotions, which are specifically designed to provide flexibility yet security to their supply base through crop-availability-led planning.

Supporting the development of UK growers

Ryan McDonnell, Commercial Director for Lidl UK, explained more about the company’s commitment to the pledge: “We are very proud to have developed and maintained strong, long-standing relationships with all our suppliers, and our commitment to the NFU pledge cements this further. We’re also very keen to ensure that our sourcing process supports the growth and development of UK growers, which is vital in encouraging more and more people, particularly our shoppers, to regularly eat more fruit and veg.”

Some of Lidl’s commitments to the NFU Fruit and Vegetable Pledge include treating suppliers fairly, offering greater price certainty to growers and a commitment to reduce wastage and add more value to the supply chain.

Commenting on the news, Ali Capper,NFU horticulture and potatoes board chair, said: “We are delighted that Lidl has publicly committed to our pledge, highlighting its commitment to long-term supply relationships, equitable distribution of reward along the supply chain, and fair and respectful trading relationships. Our goal is to generate integrity, honesty and openness across the market and that can only come from the key asks within our pledge – which includes price certainty, transparent working and strong, long term relationships that are fair for everyone involved. Lidl, with its already long history of working closely with its suppliers, is an ideal candidate to make the pledge.”