Future Farm Framework: Fruit & Veg, including Grains & Legumes

Definition

Biodiversity: This is a key commodity for improving diversity in our diets and in our UK growing power. We are looking to explore the use of ‘heritage grains’ & any produce listed in the Future 50 Foods across fresh/raw produce as well as component ingredients (such as sandwiches, pies, bakery products etc).


Soil Health: Either through mixed farming or carefully planted multi-cropping techniques and minimal (or zero) pesticide & fertiliser usage; grains and vegetables can produce incredibly nutritious carbon-sequestering soils while supporting a healthy surrounding ecosystem. Third party measurement and verified counts for earthworms, minerals and birdlife can evidence this.

Space for Nature: Vertical Farming and planned polytunnel usage can be a key way of growing fruits & vegetables with no inputs, in spaces that wouldn’t usually be used for food production. This can in turn lead to less land being required to meet our demands. Exploring agroforestry is another key way to ensure nature is protected as part of day to day business.

Projects

UK Pulse Processing:
We are working to support UK Farmers in legume production. Starting by incorporating legume-based flours (chickpea, faba bean) where possible and meeting with the small number of UK processors we aim to progress throughout 2026.

Component Wildfarmed Ingredients:
Our suppliers that use flour are encouraged to switch fully or partially to Wildfarmed. This will enable us to influence regenerative ingredient adoption beyond our immediate purchasing power.


Case Studies

GrowUP
Vertical Farming using 100% recovered energy and playing a leading role in future farming planning.

Fresh Direct
All UK produce is LEAF certified.

Wildfarmed
One of the original Regenerative framework creators, we are utilising their flour across a number of our in-house production teams while looking for suppliers that also use their products in production.

Waste Knot
Waste Knot rescues surplus and misshapen fruit and vegetables directly from regenerative growers, enabling an alternative route to market for produce that would otherwise not make it to the table. This helps growers and businesses to commit to impact from a sustainability point-of-view as well as supporting communities, fighting food waste and helping mitigate against climate change. We offer help on both sides of the sustainability coin by bringing regenerative farming to life for our corporate clients as well as helping farmers transition to a more nature-based approach in their husbandry. By doing this, we hope to reshape the food system as it stands, benefitting people and planet from a holistic perspective encompassing wellbeing and purpose.

If you would like to learn more, please contact andrew.furness@foodbuy.co.uk