Lidl will sell smaller fruit and vegetables grown by British farmers to support them after drought conditions hampered crops.
The discount supermarket chain says it has written to British suppliers in the wake of the driest British summer for half a century and England's driest July for almost 90 years to ask how they can help. Lidl says that, where possible, it will stock products hit by the drought but retain the "same great British quality".
The "stunted" fruit and vegetables may be a different size to what shoppers are used to but the supermarket promises the quality will be fine. Lidl says the move is vital to support British farmers and encouraged its rivals to follow suit.
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Lidl GB’s chief executive Ryan McDonnell said: “Farmers across the country are facing a big challenge this year due to the extreme weather conditions experienced over the summer months.
“Whilst the crop coming out may look and feel a bit different to what we’re all used to, it’s still the same great British quality.
“We therefore want to show support for our suppliers by working with them to find solutions to help.”
He said the company has always tried to work with suppliers to be flexible with variations in specifications at different times of the year, but said that now more than ever it is “critical” that Lidl and the rest of the sector get behind farmers.
He added: “That’s why we have written to all of our British fresh produce suppliers and I would urge other supermarkets to do the same, so that together we can ensure that perfectly good produce isn’t going to waste.”
According to the Met Office, England only experienced 69% of its average January to July rainfall this year. July was the driest July in England since 1935 and the driest on record for some areas.
Speaking on August 12, National Farmers Union Vice President David Exwood said: “The situation on the ground continues to be hugely challenging across all farming sectors. With nine areas of the country now officially in drought, many farmers and growers are facing serious impacts ranging from running out of irrigation water to using winter feed now to feed livestock. In short, increased costs across farming."
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