Securing the future of the British apple
In 2006 we launched a brand new farming initiative that brings more UK-grown organic apples on our shelves than at any other supermarket. We have pioneered the way organic apples are grown, and this make a long-term commitment to securing the future of British organic apple growing industry.
The principal goal of the scheme, known as Organic Concept Orchard, is to ensure the longevity of British organic apple growers, by introducing a more cost effective way of growing apples to improve crop yields, without increasing the land used.
The initiative builds on the success of Sainsbury’s conventional crop Concept Orchard launched in September 2006. The original scheme also helps growers to produce fruit more efficiently, meaning that more of the profit can go straight back to the farmer.
At the Organic Concept Orchard Sainsbury’s is planting mainly new varieties, however it is also planting Cox apples, which is the most popular English conventional variety but has so far been unsuccessful to grow as an English organic variety. As a result of these advances The Soil Association is even planning to use the Organic Concept Orchard to produce a good practice guide for growing Organic topfruit in the UK.
