Supplier Monaghan Mushrooms has removed over 20,000t of peat from production per year
Sainsbury’s is claiming a UK first by launching conventional mushrooms grown without peat.
The supermarket said the significant change to the growth process reduces the carbon intensity of mushroom production, leaving peat in the ground. That will help protect nature and get it one step closer to its net-zero goals, it added.
Rolling out from this month, shoppers will see ‘Grown without Peat’ on ‘by Sainsbury’s’ mushroom packaging in over 200 stores across the country. Peat-free mushrooms will be first available in the White Closed Cup 300g and White Baby Button 200g variants.
How is Sainsbury’s going peat free?
Mushrooms are typically grown in two layers of material – first a layer of natural compost and then a layer of peat, with the latter playing a key role in the yield and quality of the mushrooms, making it very difficult to replace.
Instead of using peat, Sainsbury’s new mushrooms are grown with an innovative sustainable substrate made from recycled natural materials. Developed in partnership with supplier Monaghan, the new process will remove 20,465 tonnes of peat from mushroom production per year.
The retailer said the breakthrough will not only benefit the planet but also customers as it has resulted in mushrooms that are higher in quality – firmer in texture and whiter in colour – with a day longer shelf life.
Lowering climate impact
Richard Crampton, director of fresh food at Sainsbury’s, said: “At Sainsbury’s, we’re committed to playing our part in enabling and driving a resilient and sustainable food system, including protecting nature and reducing carbon to net zero. Our new peat-free mushrooms will help us to get another step closer to achieving these goals in our supply chain.
“We’re proud to be the first supermarket in the UK to bring peat-free mushrooms to our customers, who want easy ways to make more responsible choices when buying food, without compromising on quality. This wouldn’t have been possible without the work of our partner Monaghan, who spent 10 years coming up with the alternative.”
Noel Hegarty, chief commercial officer at Monaghan, added: “At Monaghan, we are committed to lowering our climate impact across every facet of our operations. Although mushrooms already have a low carbon footprint in comparison to other foods, we want to take this further with our journey to net zero. Peat-free mushrooms are a huge step forward with that ambition.”
