Q: What are you looking for from growers in terms of quality? How is this judged?
A: First and foremost, we are looking for great demonstration of really good agricultural practice - for example, towards minimisation and justification of the use of pesticides and great environmental management. Innovation is also high on the list, for example, new varieties, or better taste and flavour from better management, such as a new carrot variety and process developments.
We are always mindful of exceeding our customers’ expectations for fresh, safe, healthy, tasty food and making customers’ lives easier, so searching for and working with growers who help us deliver these aspirations is paramount.
Our growers usually have great stories to tell, for example, about on-farm bio- diversity management, or working together, so we like to try and tell these ‘make a difference’ stories.
Judgement of quality is really determined by our customers and demonstrated by what they buy. Being recognised is another important factor. For example at the Q Awards last November, Vivaldi potatoes won the produce category. This kind of recognition helps give us the confidence to know that what our growers and packers are doing is great.
Q: How important is season length? Are you in favour of extension wherever possible?
A: Our customers tell us that they really appreciate buying produce that has been grown in the UK and we believe that no other supermarket offers more of a share of fresh produce supply from the UK than Sainsbury’s. To achieve this for as long as possible means working with growers who can make seasons stretch with great growing techniques, but without excessive use of energy. For example, we have a great year-round supply of tomatoes, using by-produced heat. However, usually we are stretching the seasons with both varieties and techniques, such as the UK season of asparagus and strawberries. Thus, yes, we are in favour of extending the seasons where sensible and workable.
Q: How important are the growing techniques used by your growers? Do you advise growers on the latest techniques or discriminate against people who are using more dated methods?
A: Growing techniques are really important. Good agronomy, great seedbed preparation and soil care, careful water use and a demonstration of the best information and experience driving pesticide use, are significant parts of what we expect from our growers.
If you mean do we value the biggest and shiniest tractors, the answer is no.
There are some great ways of working on farm, which rely on kit and experience of use, generated over a number of years. We value these safe pairs of hands - for example, sustainable long-term cropping for potato production.
We are always looking for new ideas, such as ways to improve taste or cut down on energy use. So, in summary, we are looking for a mix of experience, and a willingness to embrace the challenges of ‘Can we do it better?’ and ‘What are the workable opportunities?’
In terms of advice, we like to work with the growers, their agronomists and our suppliers, to try to make sure that we are operating in the best way for the whole supply chain. We don’t work in isolation.
Q: What specifications do the products you accept have to meet? Are these likely to increase in the future?
A: I can’t see specs getting tighter in the future. In my area, we run a fairly rustic spec for organic carrots, to work to help crop utilisation. Attitudes to product appearance are developing. I know that my colleagues are working hard to run specs for fruit that are not based on cosmetic perfection. For example, pears are allowed with much more russetting than they used to be.
Q: Which quality assurance schemes must growers adhere to and are some more important than others?
A: In the UK, growers need to have Assured Produce certification and international suppliers must have EurepGAP certification. The LEAF marque demonstrates significant environmental care and we value this as well.
Q: How important is it for growers to be environmentally aware? How do you monitor this?
A: Environmental care on farm is valued highly. We have a sourcing policy, which describes what good on-farm practice looks like. When we are considering business reviews, we develop scorecards about what suppliers and growers can deliver and environmental care and sustainability feature in this process. We all care about what we leave for our children, thus we all do need to care about environmental issues, energy use and carbon footprints.
Q: What distinguishes a great grower from the rest of the bunch?
A: Ultimately, a great grower shows real passion and faith in what he or she is doing. We work with some really great growers!
Q: What do you enjoy most about working with fresh produce?
A: Getting out there with the growers and really understanding what they are doing, even if it is cold and raining.
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