Aldi has launched a beef farming initiative in partnership with supplier ABP to provide British farmers with support, expertise and premium farm payments for adopting sustainable farming practices.
The Grounded in Goodness initiative will bring together 1,000 beef farmers across England, Scotland and Wales who commit to implementing a range of on-farm actions covering soil health, biodiversity and animal welfare.
Farmers will receive premium farm payments on top of standard market prices in return, alongside access to agronomic advice and peer learning networks.
“British beef farmers are facing real challenges right now, from rising input costs and climate pressures to the transition away from direct subsidies,” said Julie Ashfield, chief commercial officer at Aldi UK. “Grounded in Goodness is designed to provide practical support and financial certainty that helps farmers invest in their businesses for the long term.”
The scheme will begin recruiting farmers from this month, with the first cohort to be fully onboarded by spring 2027.
Ashfield added that the scheme would help “build a stronger, more resilient British beef supply chain that is fit for the future”.
Aldi has worked closely with supplier ABP to develop the scheme, which its director of agriculture and sustainability, Phil Hambling, said would “make sustainable farming economically attractive rather than an additional burden”.
“We’ve worked with independent farm consultants to ensure the actions in the scheme are practical, proven and relevant to British beef systems,” Hambling added. “Farmers aren’t being asked to transform their operations overnight – they’re being offered a partnership that supports gradual, meaningful improvement over time.”
A group of Horizon Farmers will work with ABP and Aldi to pilot new approaches and share learnings across the wider network.
Aldi said their involvement would ensure the scheme was “practical and deliverable by farmers, whilst helping Aldi progress towards its sustainable farming goals”.
The launch of the scheme has been welcomed by NFU president Tom Bradshaw who said it would provide a “strong incentive to further sustainable farming practices, while supporting profitable beef production”.
“This scheme will come as welcome, positive news for British beef farmers, helping to build on the confidence needed to unlock growth, encourage investment and secure a thriving domestic beef industry,” added NFU Livestock Board chair Clare Wise.
No comments yet