From 25th October 2021, Lidl will offer potatoes from regenerative agriculture in its 1,570 supermarkets. Four new potato references will be marketed in the supermarkets under the " Terre de Progrès " range. In each supermarket, consumers will be able to find 1 or 2 of these references and support producers involved in regenerative agriculture.
Taking care of the soil is essential to protect the quality of products. Since 2019, Lidl has been part of the " Sols Vivants " collective to promote, to consumers, agriculture that restores soil fertility and biodiversity: regenerative agriculture.
The success of this ambition is based on a collaborative approach of all the stakeholders in the value chain from field to fork: the farmer, the agro-industrial company, the distributor, the scientist, the public decision-maker, the investor and the agronomist. For this project, Lidl is working with 8 producers, all of whom are pioneers in these more virtuous practices, and 3 main potato suppliers: Terrea, Parmentine and Pom'Alliance. They are located in 4 regions: Loiret, Normandie, Hauts-de-France and Champagne.
What exactly is regenerative agriculture?
It is a set of agricultural practices aimed at protecting the soil. Soil preservation is essential to limit erosion, improve fertility and biodiversity. It is also a key element in the fight against climate change, as soils become real carbon wells.
Reconciling productivity and ecology
By covering the soil throughout the year and diversifying the crops grown, regenerative agriculture allows the soil to be cared for, regenerated and prevented from becoming depleted. Thanks to these responsible practices, productivity is maintained and the quality of production is improved. Regenerative agriculture reconciles productivity and ecology.
Initiated by Earthworm Foundation in 2018, the Living Soils Programme aims to help accelerate the transition to regenerative agriculture. " Sols Vivants " brings together these stakeholders in the territories they inhabit and/or operate in, to address the topic of soils in a pragmatic and realistic way.
"This partnership with Lidl is an opportunity! It is the link between us, the farmers, and the consumers. By practising this regenerative agriculture, our products are less standardised aesthetically, but they are much more virtuous. Thanks to Lidl, our efforts are valued, consumers can choose good products and we protect our soils in a sustainable way." Alexis Ammeux, potato grower and producer at Terre de Progrès.
"Being a local brand means defending the know-how of the producers in our regions and supporting the agricultural world in order to continue to offer consumers quality food at a fair price. Today, soils are overexploited, which jeopardises the future of food security. This is why we work within the " Sols Vivants " collective to support farmers who are committed to regenerative agriculture. By working on a key product of the French food industry, the potato, and by proposing a new " Terre de Progrès " range, we want to help producers make the transition to regenerative agriculture by financially supporting their efforts while at the same time making consumers aware of the need to preserve the soil". Michel Biero, Executive Director of Purchasing and Marketing at Lidl France.
For more information :
https://www.lidl.fr/