Co-op boosts beef and lamb Farming Group with major reset

29 November 2023

Co-op announces a major boost and reset for its Beef and Lamb Farming Group by welcoming new members and setting out a recharged events programme.

The leading convenience retailer has relaunched its Farming Group – 10 years on from first establishing - with a refreshed membership base made up of new and longstanding members from 17 UK farms after inviting all its beef and lamb farmers to apply. A rolling 12-month engagement programme has also been outlined to provide a touch point for members to discuss challenges facing the agriculture industry and share best practice throughout the next year.

As part of the reset, members of the Farming Group came together for the first time earlier this month in a two-day event in Manchester. Run by Co-op’s Agriculture team and its supplier partner Dunbia, the event was set up so farmers could spend time together to learn about and to discuss the important topics of the day, while having quality time with the retailer and Dunbia.

The Group participated in a series of sessions discussing topics including net-zero carbon targets and climate resilience whilst a farm to fork session was also held to update farmers on current Co-op shopper trends.

Gareth & Corrie Ward, who recently joined Co-op’s Farming Group, said: “We thoroughly enjoyed the recent Co-op beef and sheep group meeting. We found it very informative regarding food sourcing, understanding the market and Co-op's core values. It was also an excellent opportunity to meet other forward thinking like-minded farmers, who we were able to share ideas and advice. Co-op is such a community focused and environmentally aware business; we feel proud to be members of their beef farming group and look forward to working together to support sustainable agricultural practice.”

Laura Talbot, Co-op’s Agriculture Specialist, said: “We’re proud to back the British farming industry and are committed to supporting our farmers, which is especially important during these challenging times. Our Farming Group – which has been going for the last 10 years – is very much about building and maintaining a two-way relationship between us and the farmers so it’s mutually beneficial for everyone with focuses on promoting best practice, ensuring quality and helping improve efficiency and profitability of their businesses.”

The farming group was set up in 2013 to forge stronger relationships with its network of suppliers. The producers in the group also receive a premium for meeting additional requirements above the standard health and quality and brand requirements. These include sustainability, environmental and ethical and training standards.

Further events including in-person and virtual are planned throughout the next 12 months to ensure continuous engagement.

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Notes to editors:

About Co-op:
Co-op is one of the world’s largest consumer co-operatives with interests across food, funerals, insurance and legal services. Owned by millions of UK consumers, the Co-op operates over 2,400 food stores, over 800 funeral homes and provides products to over 5,000 other stores, including those run by independent co-operative societies and through its wholesale business, Nisa Retail Limited. Employing almost 57,000 people, the Co-op has an annual turnover of over £11.5 billion and is a recognised leader for its social goals and community-led programmes. The Co-op exists to meet members’ needs and stand up for the things they believe in.

For more information, please contact the PR team on:

Lauren Chambers
M: 07595567282
E: lauren.chambers@coop.co.uk
E: pressoffice@coop.co.uk