Nature plays a critical role in producing the food we enjoy every day. Healthy soils, clean water, pollinators and thriving biodiversity all help farmers grow the crops and rear the animals that feed our nation.
But as the UK sees more extreme weather- from prolonged droughts to heavier rainfall and flooding - building a more resilient food system at home has never been more important.
That's why Sainsbury's and the Woodland Trust are renewing their long-standing partnership with a new four-year commitment to support farmers and nature through agroforestry - the practice of integrating trees into productive farmland, which can benefit our food system.
This latest commitment builds on more than 21 years of collaboration between Sainsbury's and the Woodland Trust, including helping farmers plant trees, restore habitats and develop farming practices that benefit nature while supporting food production.
What we've achieved over the past three years
Sainsbury's and the Woodland Trust have:
Reached our target to plant an additional 1.5 million trees, taking the total planted through the partnership to more than 5.4 million trees.
Supported 150 farms supplying Sainsbury's to plant trees on their land.
Helped 34 farms introduce innovative silvopasture schemes - planting rows or clusters of trees within livestock grazing fields - alongside crops across more than 110 hectares of farmland.
Continued to receive support from Sainsbury's customers through purchases of Woodland range products, including Woodland free-range eggs, free-range chicken, turkey, Best of British apples, bags for life and selected greetings cards.
Supporting farmers for the future
With more than 70% of UK land used for farming, trees have an important role to play in helping farms remain productive while protecting and restoring nature.
Over the next four years, Sainsbury's and the Woodland Trust will work with more farmers and growers across our supply chain to integrate trees into farmland in ways that support both food production and the environment.
Trees can help improve soil health, manage water more effectively, support biodiversity and create habitats for pollinators and other wildlife. They can also help farmers adapt to changing weather conditions by reducing the impact of drought, flooding and extreme temperatures.
For livestock farmers, trees provide valuable shade and shelter, helping animals remain comfortable during hot weather and offering protection during colder, wetter conditions. They also create more varied environments, giving animals natural features to interact with and explore.
By strengthening resilience on farms, agroforestry can help support reliable food production for the future - ensuring customers can continue to access great-quality, affordable food.
Ruth Cranston, Director of Sustainability at Sainsbury's, said:
“We want to ensure our customers can continue to enjoy great-quality, affordable food for years to come. Building a more resilient food system is essential to achieving that, and nature has a critical role to play. Healthy soils, clean water and thriving biodiversity underpin the food we rely on every day, and trees are one of the most effective ways to support this – helping farmers build resilience to climate change, supporting animal welfare through shade and shelter, and creating habitats for wildlife.
Over the past 22 years, our partnership with the Woodland Trust has helped support nature recovery and more resilient farming practices across the UK. But there is more to do. As farmers face growing challenges from climate change, working together has never been more important. Through our partnership with the Woodland Trust and the farmers and growers who supply us, we can help strengthen the resilience of the UK's food system, support animal welfare through more natural environments that provide shelter, shade and create the conditions for farming and nature to thrive together.”
Darren Moorcroft, Chief Executive of the Woodland Trust, said:
"We know that integrating trees on farms not only delivers multiple benefits for the farming business, it also supports habitat restoration, increases biodiversity and farm resilience. Championing the planting of trees and protection of woodland habitat on farms for more Sainsbury's farmers provides a massive opportunity to boost sustainable food production while protecting the natural environment."
Supporting farmers every step of the way
A key part of the partnership is providing practical support to farmers looking to introduce more trees onto their land.
Through the programme, Woodland Trust advisers work directly with farmers to develop tailored agroforestry plans suited to their individual farms. Farmers can also access specialist advice, funding opportunities, training and on-farm events to help them understand the benefits of integrating trees into their farming systems.
Abi Reader – Goldsland Farm, Glamorganshire, South Wales
Abi first planted agroforestry in 2021 as a short rotation agroforestry system combining trees and arable with a view to feeding livestock.
“Great to be involved in developing on-farm design solutions to improve shade shelter and water retention for our cows. I'm increasingly aware of the pressure weather extremes are putting on our dairy herd - from heat and drought to periods of flooding - and the need to adapt our systems accordingly. A huge thank you to the Woodland Trust for their support in helping us develop a practical approach to building resilience into the farm.”
Recently, Sainsbury's CEO Simon Roberts and Woodland Trust Chief Executive Darren Moorcroft visited fifth-generation dairy farmer Anthony Gothard at Slough Court Farm in Somerset to see first-hand how trees planted through the partnership are helping to support both farming and nature on his farm.
Your questions answered
What is agroforestry?
Agroforestry is the practice of integrating trees, shrubs or hedgerows with crops and livestock on the same piece of land.
For example, a farmer may plant rows of trees within grazing fields where cattle or sheep can shelter or grow crops alongside trees that help improve soil health and biodiversity.
The approach is designed to benefit both farming and nature.
Why are trees important for farmers?
Trees can help farmers:
Improve soil health and reduce erosion
Manage water more effectively during droughts and heavy rainfall
Provide shade and shelter for livestock
Protect crops from extreme weather
Support pollinators and beneficial insects
Build resilience against climate-related impacts
Together, these benefits can help farms remain productive for the long term.
Why are trees important for animal welfare?
Trees create more natural and varied environments for livestock.
They provide shade during hot weather, shelter from wind and rain and can help reduce heat stress. Trees and hedgerows also create areas for animals to explore and interact with, contributing to more enriched farm environments.
Why does this matter for customers?
A healthy natural environment underpins food production.
By helping farmers build resilience to climate change, improve biodiversity and maintain productive farmland, trees can help support a more secure supply of British food in the future.
That means helping ensure customers can continue to enjoy great-quality, affordable food for generations to come.
How can customers support the partnership?
Customers have supported projects delivered through the Woodland Trust partnership for many years through purchases of Woodland range products, including Woodland free-range eggs, free-range chicken, turkey, Best of British apples, bags for life and selected greetings cards.
Together, these contributions have helped support tree planting, habitat restoration and farm-based nature projects across the UK.