Salad grower scoops Best Environmental Initiative accolade:
UK: Vitacress awarded for FSC certified natural wood pulp substrate
The salad producer was recognised for its introduction and development of a completely natural, FSC certified natural wood pulp substrate which is derived from sustainably grown pine trees. This growing medium replaces the use of peat for it salad cress, driving peat reduction to completely remove it from the Vitacress business in line with the Government 2030 deadline. Vitacress currently produces approximately 12 million punnets of salad cress a year for three retail customers as well as food service.
The carbon benefits of the new wood pulp substrate are twofold. Firstly the CO2 that is released from collecting peat is avoided and secondly, the new substrate requires less transportation, which will reduce lorry loads from 13 to just three per year. It also offers improved water retention, ensuring a longer and healthier plant life.
Leatherhead Food Research showed that 78 per cent of participants preferred the wood pulp substrate to peat. They scored the wood pulp substrate significantly higher for appearance, texture and overall liking. They felt it was more environmentally friendly and would prefer to buy it and use it in the kitchen.
Since its launch in October 2014, the product going to waste in store has reduced between 0.5 and 1.3%.
Tony Reid, Head of Marketing at Vitacress said: “Growing quality produce to high environmental standards is at the heart of what we do and we are delighted to be recognised with this award. The new wood pulp substrate is a result of extensive trials as the key for us was to find a medium that would easily transfer into cress punnets. This new method is very efficient and we are able to maintain our production levels while also minimising waste.”
The UK currently uses 3 million cubic metres of peat per annum for horticulture, 30 per cent of which is used by professional growers[1]. Research demonstrates that peat use emits 400,000 tonnes of carbon every year[2]. Reducing peat use in horticulture can not only reduce carbon emissions, but it will also help preserve the vital biodiversity that peatlands provide. Currently, peatlands cover 12 per cent of the UK, but 80 per cent are in poor condition due to peat mining[3].
Vitaress was also a finalist for Best New Variety for it’s Isabella Basil, developed exclusively for Tesco as the retailer’s first Finest herb.