Nestlé Cereals promotes regenerative ag through new Wheat Plan

By Katy Askew

- Last updated on GMT

Supporting farmers transition towards regenerative ag in the UK / Pic: GettyImages-Dan Brownsword
Supporting farmers transition towards regenerative ag in the UK / Pic: GettyImages-Dan Brownsword

Related tags regenerative agriculture Nestlé

Nestlé Cereals has launched the Nestlé Wheat Plan to support UK wheat farmers adopt regenerative agriculture practices.

The Nestlé Wheat Plan already has a number of UK farmers taking part in what the company describes as ‘an innovative sustainable farming initiative’, with aspirations to ‘steadily grow this number’ in the coming years.

Through the Wheat Plan, Nestlé is working alongside the Landscape Enterprise Networks scheme (LENs) and its wheat suppliers to reduce the impact of modern farming and help drive sustainable wheat sourcing in the UK.

As part of the plan, farmers are supported in striving to make their farming practices more sustainable and implement regenerative farming methods reduce pesticide use, carbon emissions and soil erosion, while simultaneously improving organic soil matter and biodiversity. This is achieved through practices like cover cropping which protects water quality and ensures the soil isn’t left bare and vulnerable to erosion; reduced cultivation to keep soils healthier and reduce C02 losses to the atmosphere; and planting hedgerows which creates new habitats for biodiversity, captures carbon from the atmosphere, and absorbs moisture from soil in wet weather.

“The Nestlé Wheat Plan is evidence of our long-term commitment and ambitious plans to make delicious breakfast cereals while having a positive impact on the environment where our wheat is grown,”​ said Robin Sundaram, Responsible Sourcing Manager at Nestlé UK & Ireland, said.

“We know that production of crops depends on the state of the natural environment, which can be uncertain due to changing weather conditions. We also know that this will only get worse due to climate change. By supporting our wheat farmers to transition to more regenerative farming practices they will become more resilient in the long term, as well as reduce their environmental impact with benefits for carbon, flood mitigation, water quality, air quality and soil health. Ultimately, this will also help us maintain the stable wheat supply necessary to continue producing the nation’s favourite cereals.”

Ian Matts, a Northamptonshire-based farmer working with Nestlé Cereals to supply wheat for Shredded Wheat, said that support like the Wheat Plan is necessary to help farmers transition to greener practices. “Initiatives like the Nestlé Wheat Plan are fundamental to the successful transition to regenerative farming for both farmers and the wider industry,”​ he commented.

“We’ve been using regenerative farming methods for six years and have begun to see the positive effects it has made on the farm,”​ the wheat farmer added.

Shredded Wheat communicating Wheat Plan priorities 

Nestlé Cereals will include the Nestlé Wheat Plan on its Shredded Wheat packaging across all major retailers. The back of pack focuses on ‘better farming, better countryside’ and directs consumers to the Nestlé Cereals’ website to find out more.

“The Nestlé Wheat plan is fundamental to Shredded Wheat and as a brand that includes breakfast classics made of 100% wholegrain wheat, we are delighted to be the first Nestlé cereal to tell our consumers about this fantastic programme,”​ said Toby Baker, Marketing Director at Nestlé UK & Ireland Cereals.

“Shredded Wheat is particularly popular among health-conscious adults looking for a low-fat, low-sugar, low-salt breakfast classic. Now, not only can our consumers enjoy their Shredded Wheat knowing that it is nutritious for their bodies1, but they can learn about the positive impact our wheat farmers are working towards having on the environment too.”

The Nestlé Wheat Plan supports Nestlé’s wider commitment to achieve zero net greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

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