Tesco and WWF open up supply chain to sustainability start-ups

Tesco and WWF have launched a new accelerator programme which pairs pioneering start-ups with Tesco suppliers to fast-track sustainability innovation in the supply chain which can cut the environmental impact of food and support UK food security.

Innovation Connections will address a key barrier preventing promising sustainability innovations from being adopted at scale in food supply chains, by identifying suppliers who can help to scale up new ideas and technologies.  Applicants have been paired with long-term Tesco suppliers to pitch scale-up projects that apply their ideas in the real world of food supply chains. Winners will work with Tesco’s supplier partners to pilot and scale their innovation and will each receive up to £150,000 in funding support.

Ahead of the Innovation Connections finals this month, Tesco is calling on the UK government to do more to unlock innovation in UK food supply chains and support innovations to market readiness, not just at the seed funding stage.

Specifically, it is asking the Government to set out timelines and process for updating outdated regulations that hinder the scaling up of late-stage innovations such as insect protein in animal feed or sustainable low-carbon fertilisers, and to create incentives for businesses and consumers who are early adopters of new food system innovations.

Ken Murphy, Tesco Group CEO said, “The upcoming Food Strategy White Paper is a great opportunity to transform our food system and enhance food security. We hope the paper will set out a process to update outdated regulations that hinder the scaling up of much needed innovations.”

The following Innovation Connections finalists have been selected by Tesco and WWF experts from 70 applications. They will go head-to-head on Friday 6 May to pitch for the chance to see their project rolled out in the Tesco supply chain:

• AgriSound & AM Fresh (Tesco fruit supplier)
• Aurea & Adrian Scripps (Tesco apple supplier)
• ai & Hilton (Tesco meat and fish supplier)
• CCm, Andermatt, FCT & Branston (Tesco potato supplier)
• FCT & ProduceWorld (Tesco produce supplier)
• Future by Insects & Hilton (Tesco meat and fish supplier)
• Harbro & Muller (Tesco milk processing supplier)
• InsPro & Prepworld (Tesco prepared fruit supplier)

Read the full article here.