LEAF, the industry body of sustainable farmers, emphasised the future of food relies on sustainable farming, and the whole supply chain must play its part to ensure success.
More than 70 attendees from across the food and farming industry came together at the LEAF Marque Summit earlier this month, which had the theme ‘Demonstrating Sustainability in the Food Supply Chain.’
Attendees heard about the value that the LEAF Marque has to retailers and suppliers in demonstrating sustainable credentials.
LEAF Marque is a full member of the ISEAL Alliance, the global membership association for sustainability standards.
Amy Jackson, Senior Manager at the ISEAL Alliance, said: "The LEAF Marque is a great example of a transparent and robust label that consumers should look out for."
At the summit, LEAF revealed the findings from its Global Impacts Report which showed that the area of land around the world growing LEAF Marque crops increased by 28% since last year.
In the UK alone, 33% of all fruit and vegetables are produced on LEAF Marque certified businesses, up from 25% the previous year.
Kathryn Mitchell, LEAF Sustainability Manager said: "We’d like to acknowledge the good work LEAF Marque producers across the globe are already doing, and we are proud of how responsible our farmers are.
"As a growing population, we have some challenges ahead, but through full supply chain collaboration, we look forward to continued sustainability success.
"We’d like to encourage more retailers and suppliers to recognise the value of LEAF Marque, and engage more producers in the supply chain."
Johnathan Sutton, Technical Manager at Marks and Spencer, also spoke at the conference and explained how the LEAF Marque is providing value to them as a retailer, but also how producers already growing to LEAF Marque standards can benefit.
"Our aim for 2020 is to be the most sustainable retailer in the world. Our journey includes Plan A at the heart of everything.
"I am really proud that we have adopted LEAF Marque as a Plan A attribute for producers, so if you are a LEAF Marque grower, you will be implementing Integrated Farm Management and you can apply and be awarded an attribute for every product you produce."
Sarah-Jane Thompson, Fresh Direct, was another conference speaker to acknowledge how LEAF Marque is already playing a part in helping the organisation be a sustainable supplier.
"More consumers are keen to buy sustainable produce in food service and are willing to pay more for it.
"Total transparency is important as is responsible procurement, which is why some of our produce is already LEAF Marque certified."
The summit also explored other challenges faced by the food and farming industry including healthy eating and climate change.
Sue Dibb, Coordinator of Eating Better, said: "There is a big awareness gap; particularly low levels of awareness of the sustainability impacts of our diet and how food has anything to do with climate change.
"Food and agriculture do need to play a more active role in meeting climate change targets - we can't avoid dangerous climate change unless consumption trends change."
