Sainsbury’s introduces ‘Greener’ mushrooms with industry-first peat-free production

UK – Sainsbury’s has made a pioneering move by becoming the first UK supermarket to offer mushrooms grown without the use of peat, marking a significant step towards sustainability in the industry.

The new mushrooms, labeled with the ‘Grown without Peat’ sign on the packaging, are expected to reduce the retailer’s peat usage by 20,465 tonnes annually.

These mushrooms are produced using a casing layer made from natural recycled materials sourced in the UK, a method developed by Monaghan, a well-known mushroom producer.

By using by-products from agricultural industries, Sainsbury’s aims to provide a carbon-friendlier alternative to traditional peat-grown mushrooms.

Richard Crampton, Sainsbury’s director of fresh food, highlighted the importance of this initiative: “We’re committed to enabling and driving a resilient and sustainable food system, including protecting nature and reducing carbon to Net Zero. Our new peat-free mushrooms will help us take another step closer to achieving these goals in our supply chain.”

In addition to their sustainability, these mushrooms offer improved quality. The peat-free varieties are firmer, whiter, and drier, with a longer shelf life than their peat-grown counterparts. This offers consumers a high-quality product while making environmentally responsible choices.

The new mushrooms are now available in over 200 Sainsbury’s stores across the UK, with the White Closed Cup 300g and White Baby Button 200g variants leading the rollout.

This represents about 20% of Sainsbury’s mushroom offering, and further expansion is expected as the retailer continues to innovate in its fresh produce line.

Peat has long been a popular choice for mushroom cultivation due to its ability to retain moisture and produce high yields. However, extracting peat contributes significantly to carbon emissions.

The carbon impact of peat extraction is equivalent to the emissions of over 2,600 cars each year, prompting growing calls for the practice to end.

In line with this, the National Trust earlier this year restricted the use of peat-grown mushrooms in its cafés. The environmental toll of peat extraction has also led the UK government to consider banning peat use in horticulture by 2028.

Sainsbury’s move is part of a broader trend in the industry towards sustainability. Waitrose, another UK supermarket, has experimented with alternative mushroom-growing methods using coconut husk fiber.

However, Sainsbury’s is the first to introduce peat-free mushrooms commercially on a large scale.

Sainsbury’s commitment to sustainability aligns with its broader goals. The supermarket has pledged to reach Net Zero carbon emissions across its operations by 2035 and within its supply chain by 2050.

With initiatives like peat-free mushrooms, Sainsbury’s is taking tangible steps towards reducing its environmental footprint.

“We’re proud to be the first supermarket in the UK to bring peat-free mushrooms to our customers, who want easy ways to make more responsible choices when buying food, without compromising on quality,” Crampton added.

By focusing on sustainable practices, Sainsbury’s continues to lead in offering innovative, eco-friendly options for consumers, setting a new standard for the food industry.

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