Partnership working and innovation in sustainability has led to a substantial fall in the carbon footprint of soft fruit production by Angus Growers and Angus Soft Fruits.
The Arbroath-based organisation is owned and manged by 16 growers, with the majority located across Angus, Perthshire and Fife.
The produce is marketed by the organisation in partnership with Angus Soft Fruits, allowing growers to use their combined size to access profitable markets.
The partnership approach also drives innovation in production, packing and responsible farming, making the organisations market leaders in sustainability.
Every member grower is paid the same price for the same quality of fruit, with produce matched to the most suitable customer.
Every grower also has an equal share in the group and an equal say in its future and new growers can therefore find themselves supplying premium markets at premium prices from the start.
Angus Growers, along with Angus Soft Fruits have developed a range of branded premium lines recognised and trusted by consumers, with production.
Agronomic advice and assistance is provided through a committed team who work with growers on all aspects of pest and disease control, crop management, planning and protection, plant procurement, nutritional advice, crop budgets and cropping profiles.
The delivery of cutting-edge advice, technology and quality management systems help new growers through sharing knowledge and skills.
Angus Soft Fruits has developed a strong reputation for innovation within the soft fruit industry, including an in-house variety breeding programme and the development of the patented Seaton System of production which is tough enough to withstand the British weather and significantly extends the main strawberry and raspberry growing season.
Angus Growers share the goal to improve the sustainability credentials for the planet and the people who live and work on the farms.
With Angus Soft Fruits growers understand that premium produce goes hand-in-hand with responsible farming. A range of initiatives have been introduced to reduce environmental impact of the growers, ensuring their produce is a sustainable choice.
The growers have significantly cut back on food waste with a goal of reducing this by 50% by 2030 and have partnered with FareShare to ensure a positive destination for surplus fruit.
Angus Soft Fruits closely collaborate with their packaging suppliers to develop innovative punnets for their berries that contain less plastic and are 100% recyclable
This has significantly minimised plastic waste and promotes circularity in the supply chain.
At the time of nomination, the organisation was well on the way to achieving its goal of 100% recyclable packaging.
They actively support biodiversity by planting hedgerows and windbreaks, creating natural habitats for wildlife near their farms.
In addition, all Angus Growers members will be Leaf Marque Certified, a rigorous programme that recognises sustainable farming practices, with Angus Soft Fruits rolling this out to their wider global network of growers.
Since 2013, the carbon footprint per tonne of soft fruit across their growers has been cut by an impressive 30%.