The move from Danish-sourced bacon will convert enough rashers to British to make almost 100 million bacon butties.
The Co-op will extend British seasons for home-grown fruit and vegetables, support British horticulture with new ranges and British flower varieties and commit to fruit and vegetable growers with new long-term contracts.
The longer availability of British grown fruit and vegetables will see 15 varieties, from plums, apricots and blueberries to leeks, fennel and asparagus sold earlier and longer than before in stores. The Co-op has worked with one supplier to develop an exclusive variety of British potatoes, called a Lilly and grown in Norfolk and Suffolk, which is perfect for mash.
The retailer will also lead on the responsible use of antibiotics within its supply chain to tackle concerns about disease resistance to antibiotic medicines. It aims to boost research and development into animal welfare. And it will develop activities to boost food knowledge among shoppers.
NFU comment
“We very much welcome the latest announcement on sourcing from the Co-op. The retailer’s commitment to British farmers is undeniable – extending the 100% British meat pledge to frozen gives a clear signal to farmers that their high quality produce is wanted by the Co-op and its customers.
“This recognises the public support for and high quality of British food products.”
Co-op Group Chief Executive, Steve Murrells, said: “The Co-op is firmly backing the British farming community. Our multi-billion pound investment in home-grown goods is a ringing endorsement for the quality standards of the goods farmers produce.
See also: NFU applauds Co-op's move to back British farming
“I’m excited to announce these pledges at our AGM as only the Co-op can do this because we look to the long-term and aren’t driven by a fast profit for shareholders. We’re about making the right choices for our members and the communities we serve.
“In uncertain times we firmly believe now is the time to support UK farmers. We have just introduced only own brand fresh British lamb and bacon in our stores and from next year we’ll only use British meat in all our frozen foods.
“Getting more fruit and vegetables into store for longer has been a key aim and I’m proud we are going to great lengths to support UK growers.”
In addition, the Co-op will extend its young farming pioneers scheme to support the next generations of farmers.
