Marks & Spencer brings back organic fruit & veg

02 June 1998

Marks & Spencer brings back organic fruit & veg

By FWi staff

MARKS & Spencer has responded to customer demand by bringing back its range of organic food and vegetables after dropping it five years ago.

The range of seven products, which is available in 21 stores initially, includes avocado, tomato, baby tomato, red pepper, red apple, golden apple and potato.

The food will be sourced from overseas suppliers due to the inconsistency of supplies from local growers. In fact, up to 80% of the UKs organic food needs are sourced from abroad.

Michael Taylor, M&S divisional director, said: “We are now encouraging our UK growers to gain organic accreditation from the Soil Association.”

To qualify for accreditation, farms must undergo a 2-3 year monitoring process, which is carried out by the association to ensure that the land meets organic standards and contains no chemicals or pesticides.

Mr Taylor said the department store would be holding an open day within the next six weeks with key M&S suppliers to discuss plans for organic produce supply in the UK.