UK discounters Aldi and Lidl have made moves to support British farming by making British produce more accessible to consumers.
Aldi has introduced a ‘Best of British’ section to its website in a bid to help shoppers support British businesses. The dedicated webpage includes a selection of groceries, ranging from meat to dairy products and everyday essentials.
Last year, Aldi reported that 80% of its sales came from British suppliers, with the supermarket working with around 5,000 suppliers across the UK.
Julie Ashfield, managing director of buying at Aldi UK, said: “Our Best of British webpage aims to give our customers the chance to navigate British products more easily whilst supporting the thousands of local suppliers that we work with.
“We are proud to champion so many British suppliers and they are at the heart of our success, allowing us to offer our customers great British quality at the best possible prices.”
Lidl invests in British farmers
Lidl has announced that it is investing over £70 million into British root veg suppliers, transitioning suppliers to long-term contracts of up to three years.
The investment will be offered to those supplying Lidl’s winter veg, including carrots, parsnips and swedes.
Lidl said that the investment is “not only a gain for suppliers but also aligns with the discounter’s broader mission of offering customers the best of British at the lowest prices”.
Paul Gibson, buying director at Lidl GB, said: “As the whole market faces challenges, including unpredictable weather patterns, our decision to transition suppliers to longer contracts underscores our commitment to supporting local producers.
“Not only is it an investment in the quality and consistency of our supply chain, but it’s also testament of our dedication to the British food industry.”
