Skip to content
Search
AI Powered
Latest Stories

UK blackcurrant supplier among innocent Drinks’ winners of £1m regenerative agriculture fund

UK blackcurrant supplier among innocent Drinks’ winners of £1m regenerative agriculture fund
Pixley Berries farm

innocent Drinks has on Wednesday announced the grant recipients of its Farmer Innovation Fund for 2024, with 11 winners, including a supplier from the UK, set to receive financial support for projects working to help safeguard the long-term supply of fruit and veg.

The business has granted funding to suppliers spanning ten countries, growing eleven unique ingredients. The projects address key agricultural challenges including soil health, biodiversity, climate change, and water use.


The announcement follows the relaunch of the fund in which innocent increased available funding to create a grant pot of £1 million for projects that support the transition to low-carbon farming, higher biodiversity and fairer farming practices.

With over half of its carbon footprint coming from its ingredients, the brand said investing in innovative farming practices will be key to achieving a 50 per cent reduction of its scope 3 emissions by 2030.

2024 Farmer Innovation Fund (FiF) Winners

Four of this year’s recipients are previous winners of the Farmer Innovation Fund, representing a commitment to invest in long-term partnerships that deliver tangible outcomes.

Pixley Berries, blackcurrant supplier, UK: As a 2023 FiF winner, Pixley Berries will use bio-stimulant and a sensory device to look after blackcurrant crops over the next three years.

Anna Ralph at Pixley Berries commented: “Regenerative farming is a learning curve and being a winner for the second year running means we can advance our work to identify pragmatic approaches with deliverable benefits to blackcurrant growing and other crops. By combining biostimulants, measuring chlorophyll, microbials, and focusing on minimum cultivations we’re pioneering a new approach. Through this we hope to develop a revitalised agronomy fit for our times, both adapting to and mitigating climate change.”

Agrarias Manchegas, grape supplier, Spain: A 2022 FiF winner, Agrarias Manchegas have plans to transform into a fully functioning smart farm. By using innovative technologies to advance agricultural practices across Spain. They aim to enhance soil management, crop health, water usage, and energy efficiency, leading to a more sustainable farming operation.

Time 4 Bee (part of the Doehler Foundation in Poland), apple supplier, Poland: As a FiF winner in 2022, Time 4 Bee will continue its plans to improve agricultural sustainability, increase biodiversity, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Piotr Podoba at Time 4 Bee commented: “Our project looks to create a significant reduction in the carbon footprint of apples as well as biodiversity improvements. We hope to have an influence on a portion on Poland’s farmers beyond only individual farms.”

Frutilight, Pineapple supplier, Costa Rica: As a winner of the FiF in 2022, Frutilight plans to focus on a new project which will establish a biofertilizer plant specifically for pineapple cultivation.

There are also seven first-time recipients of the fund:

Aspis, peach supplier, Greece: Aspis will conduct a lifecycle assessment of peaches, assessing and evaluating the CO2 footprint of each production stage of peach puree.

GNT Group, carrot supplier, Netherlands, Belgium and Germany: GNT will work with select farmers to create plots of wildflowers, herbs and plants that attract pollinators and increase biodiversity.

IBERFRUTA, peach supplier, Spain: IBERFRUTA will trial irrigation adjustments and install sensors to evaluate the physiological and agronomic behaviour of peach trees under deficit irrigation strategies.

Mother Dairy, mango supplier, India: Mother Dairy will conduct a baseline report and educate farmers about the impact of greenhouse gas emissions on climate change and their livelihood.

Sensus, chicory root fiber supplier, Netherlands: Sensus aims for 20-30% crop yield improvement by trialling seed-embedding technology to stimulate uniform crop growth, with the hope of reducing seed waste and soil disruption

Sol Organica, passion fruit and dragon fruit supplier, Nicaragua: Sol Organica will implement the conversion of food waste into compost to reduce costs, sequester carbon and reduce methane emissions.

SVZ, strawberry supplier, Spain: SVZ will implement a HIDRIX system to optimise water and fertiliser consumption, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving climate resilience in turn.

Nick Canney, CEO, innocent Drinks said: “We’re on a mission to help people live well through the delicious goodness of fruit & veg. Our Farmer Innovation Fund enables us to build meaningful partnerships with our suppliers to help make sure we can keep enjoying fruit & veg for years to come. This year’s winners are embarking on some truly innovative projects that show real potential for playing a part in the future of farming. I’m proud that we’re able to support them in delivering sustainable and healthy diets.”

More for you

​Booker launches new delivery app Scoot

Booker launches new delivery app Scoot

Booker

Booker's new delivery app for symbol retailers to deliver in 30 minutes

Booker has launched a brand-new ordering platform exclusively for its symbol group retailers to help them deliver local groceries to their customers’ doors, in as little as 30 minutes.

The new ordering platform, Scoot, connects shoppers with their local participating independent retailer enabling them to order food, drinks and household essentials from a curated list of products chosen by the retailer.

Keep ReadingShow less
NewstrAid’s Retailer Support Scheme

NewstrAid’s Retailer Support Scheme

NewstrAid’s Retailer Support Scheme gives 100+ grants in just seven months

Industry charity NewstrAid has announced a major milestone, awarding over 100 grants to retailers in need since the launch of its Retailer Support Scheme in May 2024.

Designed to provide financial, emotional, and practical support, the scheme has already paid out around £50,000 to retailers facing ill health, family crises, bereavement, and retail crime, helping them navigate unexpected hardships.

Keep ReadingShow less
Fed praises InPost Newstrade for changes
Fed praises InPost Newstrade for changes
Fed praises InPost Newstrade for changes

Fed praises InPost Newstrade for changes

InPost Newstrade, formerly Menzies Distribution, is making some changes to its carriage charge model following discussions with the Federation of Independent Retailers (the Fed).

In a letter to its UK customers which was being sent today (10), the news wholesaler has announced that it is to decrease the base charge to support retailers with lower sales.

Keep ReadingShow less
marks and spencer CEO warns Rising taxes on retail

Marks & Spencer slams government on rising taxes.

iStock image

M&S chief slams government for raiding retail 'like piggybank'

The retail industry is being “raided like a piggy bank”, chief executive of Marks & Spencer has stated, calling on the UK government to delay or ease planned tax and recycling charges.

Writing in the Sunday Times, Stuart Machin said that without pausing or staggering the changes to national insurance and business rates, which come into effect this April, UK retail would get smaller.

Keep ReadingShow less
Pernod Ricard considers sale of Mumm champagne

Bottle of Champagne G.M. Mumm Brut Cordon Rouge

Photo: iStock

Pernod Ricard considers sale of Mumm champagne

Pernod Ricard is exploring a sale of its champagne brand G.H. Mumm, Reuters reported citing five sources familiar with the matter, as the company looks to focus on premium labels in its portfolio.

The French spirits giant behind Absolut Vodka and Jameson Irish whiskey is working with investment bank Rothschild & Co on the possible divestiture, that could attract interest from other spirits and beverage companies, the sources said.

Keep ReadingShow less