Aldi has announced plans to invest over £30m in dairy farmers over the next three and a half years, through an enhanced partnership with Arla, the UK’s biggest dairy cooperative.
Aldi is a long-term supporter of British farmers, growers and suppliers, being the first retailer to sign up to the Nation Farmer’s Union Fruit and Veg Pledge in 2015 and the first to sign up to the NFU Plants and Flowers Pledge in 2018.
The extended partnership is set to run until the middle of 2027. During this time, it sets to provide additional support to Arla’s farm owners while encouraging a greater focus on sustainability and animal welfare practices.
This £30 million investment will support Arla’s FarmAhead™ Customer Partnership is an initiative aimed at supporting farmers’ efforts to drive reductions in on-farm emissions.
Through this programme, Aldi will partner in farming projects and innovations that aim to accelerate more sustainable farming practices and decarbonise dairy.
Aldi has also increased its investment in the Aldi Dairy Farm Partnership (ADFP) programme to cover 100% of Arla’s Fresh Milk supply, which extended its support for British farms from 25 to over 150.
Liz Fox, National Sustainability Director at Aldi UK, said: “At Aldi, our commitment to responsible sourcing is at the heart of everything we do.
“Our strengthened partnership with Arla allows us to better support farmers while driving positive change in the UK’s dairy sector.
“This investment reflects our long-standing relationship with Arla and our dedication to delivering high-quality dairy products to our customers.”
Tim Dale, Arla farmer and member of the ADFP since 2018 added: “We’re incredibly proud of our ongoing relationship with Aldi, which has spanned six years.
“This investment marks another milestone in our shared goal of supporting dairy farmers to produce quality milk that is made in the best possible way. We are excited to continue working closely on initiatives that create a better future for dairy farming.”