Origin of our food

In ensuring fresh, quality and safe products we put provenance, traceability and responsible sourcing first and foremost.


Traceability is key...

...which is why Waitrose knows every farm and farmer who supplies every pack of our British pork, bacon and sausages. We know the parentage and history of the Aberdeen Angus and Hereford animals supplying its beef; and we know the origin of every own-label free range egg and pint of milk – claims that few supermarkets can make.

Read about Waitrose meat

Committed to supplying food of the highest quality...

...we have owned our own farm for over 70 years – the 4,000-acre Leckford Estate supplies mushrooms, free range eggs, flour, honey, apples and Select Farm milk to Waitrose shops.

Read about our Leckford farm

Where possible Waitrose buys British...

...which is why our strawberries between June and September come from British fields and why 89% of eight food staples, which include beef, chicken, apples and potatoes, are sourced from Britain.

Waitrose British sourced food

Our buyers seek out the finest local and regional products our country has to offer.

Working in partnership with small producers, Waitrose helps boost the economy in many rural areas and its customers get to sample the very best foods made locally.

We believe being a responsible retailer is the right thing to do.

This is why we introduced organic food way back in 1983, why we have a sustainable fishing policy and why we have retained the title of ‘Compassionate Supermarket of the Year’ awarded by Compassion in World Farming (CIWF).

Read about our sustainable fishing policies

Waitrose pays suppliers fair prices...

...but is committed to keeping prices for customers as low as possible. But not at any cost - we are committed to working with its suppliers to ensure good working practices throughout its supply chain. Not only do we expect our suppliers to obey the law, but ask that they respect the rights, interests and wellbeing of their workers, their communities and the environment.

Faced with public concerns about climate change...

...water usage and excessive waste, and the challenges of a growing business, Waitrose strives to minimise the environmental impacts of our products and packaging, our distribution network and our business operations.

Read about Waitrose packaging





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