Smoothie maker Innocent Drinks is increasing the amount of financial support it donates to regenerative agriculture projects within its supply chain to £1 million.
Innocent’s Farmer Innovation Fund launched in 2021 and provides funding to suppliers for projects that support the transition to low-carbon farming, higher biodiversity and fairer farming practices.
The fund previously offered £100,000 in grants to regenerative fruit and vegetable farming projects, but this has now been increased to £1 million for 2024.
The smoothie maker, which prides itself on its ethical and environmental credentials, says the fund helps “safeguard the long-term supply of fruit and veg through regenerative agriculture, as Innocent advances its plans to decarbonise its supply chain”.
Over half of Innocent’s carbon footprint comes from its ingredients, so investing in sustainable farming practices is key to achieving a 50% reduction of its scope 3 emissions by 2030.
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Funding will be offered to all Innocent ingredient suppliers with a special focus on those providing priority fruits, such as apples and oranges, which produce the highest levels of innocent Scope 3 emissions.
Grants of between £20,000 – £500,000 will be made available, with those over £500,000 considered on a case-by-case basis.
Longer term, the fund will also cover grants for advocacy, education and collaboration beyond Innocent’s supply chains and Innocent will share its learnings throughout the process to accelerate the transition to sustainable farming within the wider sector.
The fund’s previous winners include German ingredient firm Döhler, who is using the fund to map out how to reduce the carbon footprint in its apple and mango supply chains. Spanish grape juice supplier Agrarias Manchegas, is also using the fund to optimise farm inputs via data management and precision agriculture technology.
Nick Canney, CEO, Innocent Drinks said: “We’re on a mission to help people live well through the delicious goodness of fruit & veg, working to ensure everyone gets enough today and in the future. That’s why we are proud to play a part in helping our suppliers secure fruit & veg for the long term.
“We see the Farmer Innovation Fund as a great opportunity to weave a strong connection from our drinkers to our farmers by working with our suppliers to safeguard the future supply of fruit and vegetables. So, they can continue to play their role in delivering sustainable and healthy diets.”
Dominik Klauser, regenerative agriculture director, SAI Platform and chair of the External Advisory Board for the Farmer Innovation Fund, said: “We need to see more investment in supporting farmers on their journey towards de-risking and embracing regenerative farming practices. It’s great to see businesses like Innocent Drinks committing to support the farmers within their supply chain to make this transition”.
In January this year, it was revealed that Innocent’s £200 million fully renewable factory has seen a “slower than anticipated” rate of production due to increasing costs.
Brands helping to make farming practices more sustainable has been a long-standing trend across the sector.
