Inside M&S's Sustainable and Efficient Farming Strategy

Marks & Spencer has introduced three vertically farmed salad products to its Food stores.

The move forms part of the retailer's Plan A for Farming programme, which aims to reduce environmental impact across its supply chain.

The products are grown using advanced robotics that require 96% less water than conventional farming methods. No pesticides are used in the production process.

Rapid harvest to shelf process

According to Marks & Spencer, the salad leaves are picked at the optimal moment for quality and packed within 60 seconds of harvest. This compressed timeline between harvest and packaging could reduce waste in the distribution network.

The three varieties include Citrus Sorrel Baby Leaves, Spicy Baby Leaves and Baby Garlic Kale. These products are exclusive to Marks & Spencer Food stores.

The salads do not require washing before consumption. This ready-to-eat format could reduce preparation steps for customers and eliminate water use at the household level.

Vertical farming infrastructure explained

Vertical farming uses stacked layers for growing crops instead of horizontal fields. The method allows farmers to produce higher volumes of food on the same land area by growing crops in warehouses or greenhouses.

The process integrates artificial control of temperature, humidity and light. Marks & Spencer's salads are grown with a substrate instead of soil, providing exact nutrients for crop development.

Advanced robotics plant seeds and UV lights maintain growing conditions. The system operates indoors, removing dependency on weather conditions for production continuity.

Supply chain sustainability targets

Andrew Clappen, Director of Technical for Marks & Spencer Food, says: "The future of food is about finding new and innovative methods which put less pressure on the environment while delivering the best in market flavour and quality.

"These Collection salads are vertically grown exclusively for M&S and bring new flavours to our customers with a dramatically reduced water consumption – supporting our Plan A goal to reach net zero by 2040 across our supply chain."

The vertical farming products align with Marks & Spencer's Plan A for Farming. This five-year commitment launched to help deliver a more sustainable future for food production.

Marks & Spencer is working with farmers to adopt regenerative farming practices that can improve soil health and biodiversity. This programme involves planting cover crops and herbal leys, reducing tillage and establishing new hedgerows and trees.

Production partnership with Planet Farms

Planet Farms supplies the vertically farmed products to Marks & Spencer. Daniele Benatoff, Co-Founder and CEO of Planet Farms, says: "Today marks a major milestone for Planet Farms and for the future of fresh produce in the UK and Ireland.

"After years of close collaboration and joint development with M&S, we are incredibly proud to launch four M&S own-label products nationwide and deliver the UK's first own-label vertically farmed salad range."

The production method could extend shelf life compared to traditionally farmed salads. Longer lasting products could reduce waste at both retail and household levels.

Benefits of vertical farming systems include year-round production, crop growth in urban areas and reduced need for water and land. The controlled environment removes seasonal limitations that affect conventional agricultural supply chains.