Lidl, a prominent player in the UK's grocery retail sector, has announced a significant milestone in its investment ambitions. The discount retailer disclosed it is set to invest a total of £21 billion in the British food industry, surpassing its initial five-year goal of £15 billion by an impressive 40%. This move underscores Lidl's dedication to supporting British agriculture and food production, marking a substantial increase of £6 billion beyond its original commitment.

The investment surge reflects Lidl's robust performance in the last financial year, during which it channeled approximately £5 billion into the UK food industry alone. As part of its commitment to using domestic produce, two-thirds of Lidl's permanent product range now comes from British suppliers. This includes a firm pledge to stock 100% British-sourced fresh milk, butter, eggs, cream, pork, chicken, and beef across its stores.

Richard Bourns, Chief Commercial Officer at Lidl GB, highlighted the significance of this achievement as the company celebrates its 30th anniversary in Great Britain. "As we celebrate 30 years of Lidl in Great Britain, it’s a fitting time to reflect on how far we’ve come," Bourns remarked. He emphasised the strong relationships that Lidl has cultivated with local suppliers over the decades, stating, “Now more than ever, we remain committed to supporting British farmers, ensuring we’re a dependable partner to those who put quality, home-grown food on Lidl shelves across the country.”

In line with its commitment to British agriculture, Lidl is unveiling the Grassroots Farming Conference as a new initiative. The conference aims to foster and enhance connections with British farmers by addressing issues across various sectors including pork, dairy, and beef. The inaugural event is scheduled to occur from 19th to 20th February next year, hosted at Harper Adams Agricultural University.

The Grassroots Farming Conference will tackle a variety of pertinent topics such as agricultural policy and mental health in the farming community. Notable speakers from the agricultural sector have been invited to present. These include Alex Burrows, Chair of the National Association of Cilical Farm Trainers (NACFT), Michael Kavanagh, Director of Green Farm Collective, and Stephanie Berkeley from the Farm Safety Foundation.

Lidl's intensified investment and new initiatives represent a forward stride in its long-standing commitment to British agricultural practitioners, aiming to fortify their operational sustainability while ensuring their full engagement in delivering quality British-sourced products throughout the year.

Lidl picked up a number of awards at this year's Quality Food Awards! Take a look at the full list of winning products here: https://uk.qualityfoodawards.com/QFA24/en/page/2024-winners