And to achieve this, based on the theme of partnership alliances, she stressed the need to work more closely with producers.
The chain, with its 489 stores and a turnover of £18.4 billion in the last financial year, is also achieving excellent results since it revamped its produce departments to highlight the bustling US market look inspired by its Shaw's connection, she added.
Healing identified successes as premium tomato varieties, mini and semi-prepared vegetables and the Fresh and Ready range of prepared salads. A wider range of potatoes, including speciality varieties, were also included in her list. Modified atmosphere packaging was making headway, as well as non-invasive testing.
Healing said that Sainsbury's is supportive of UK produce, providing it is seen as being of value to its customers.
No such debate ever escapes from the question of pricing and profitability, however, and while Sainsbury's is planning to use a greater grower presence in-store to stress its commitment, Healing said bluntly; 'We are not prepared to buy British at any cost.' Soft-fruit grower Peter Wensak appealed to the multiples to do more to help get the true meaning of maximum residue levels into the public psyche, a point which was welcomed.
Organics are also playing an increasingly important role, often backed by bio-degradable packaging which Sainsbury's was one of the first to introduce a year ago.
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