Fresh Direct to solely source British produce from LEAF Marque growers

Fresh produce supplier Fresh Direct has achieved its pledge to source all contracted British produce from Linking Environment and Farming (LEAF) Marque-accredited growers.

Achieving LEAF standards ensures that Fresh Direct’s growers are independently verified against a robust farm sustainability standard, driving continuous improvements in soil health, biodiversity, water and energy management to deliver more responsibly grown British produce.

Fresh Direct has now created partnerships with suppliers to implement more sustainable farming initiatives, based on regenerative farming principles that aim to promote biodiversity and nature while producing food.

The company is collaborating with regenerative farming consultancy Regen Future Co to pilot projects with three of its progressive growers – FreshGro, Len Wright Salads and Barfoots. These growers provide a testbed spanning a diverse range of farming systems and UK regions.

Fresh Direct and Regen Future Co have created locally appropriate interventions that will help identify the opportunities and challenges growers face in putting regenerative principles, as defined by LEAF Marque, into practice.

Projects aim to improve soil health and biodiversity, and include developing a 300-metre diverse hedgerow and wildflower meadow, creating new wildlife habitats and developing a new freshwater ecosystem that is intended to help to boost biodiversity. 

Pete Statham, head of European sustainability for Fresh Direct’s parent company, Sysco GB, said: “Climate and extreme weather are making it increasingly difficult to grow food, and we’re committed to partnering with our suppliers to build resilient supply chains and secure the future of food. 

“Our collaborations with three key growers aim to demonstrate initiatives that can improve commercial farming for biodiversity, soil health and the climate. If successful, this will allow us to share insights and learnings to enhance sustainability and resilience throughout the supply chain. It’s an opportunity to collaborate to help build a constructive dialogue around sustainable farming in the foodservice supply chain that supports nature alongside food production.”

In 2024, Fresh Direct partnered with Kent-based vertical farm GrowUp Farms to supply its greens year-round, following the addition of Norwich’s Fischer Farms to its portfolio.

Last year, parent company Sysco GB acquired catering butcher Fairfax Meadow from Hilton Foods in a £54m deal.

That was Sysco GB’s second acquisition in the meat supply chain within a year, after the Campbell’s Prime Meat takeover in October 2024. 

Sysco’s Brakes arm recently launched the second phase of its Get Set Supply incubator scheme to help SMEs pitch to hospitality operators.