Nestlé has introduced regeneratively farmed British wheat into KitKat production through a new partnership with Wildfarmed.
Nestlé has rolled out regeneratively farmed British wheat across the production of 1.5 billion KitKat bars made annually at its York factory, expanding its use of regenerative agriculture in one of the UK’s biggest confectionery supply chains.
With this partnership, it’s not just about growing crops a bit differently; it’s about working to grow and support a more sustainable future for farmers and the landscapes we depend on.”
Dr Emma Keller, Head of Sustainability at Nestlé UK and Ireland
The company has partnered with Wildfarmed to source wheat for KitKat wafers from a network of British farmers using practices designed to improve soil health, increase biodiversity and reduce environmental impact. Following trials last year, Nestlé has now integrated the wheat into production at York.
“We’re thrilled to be working with Wildfarmed,” said Dr Emma Keller, Head of Sustainability at Nestlé UK and Ireland. “This collaboration is all about making the KitKat everyone has known and loved for the last 90 years in an even more sustainable way, all while supporting British wheat farmers to adopt regenerative farming practices that are intended to support carbon reduction and increase biodiversity.”
A major test case for regenerative sourcing
Wildfarmed’s farmers follow regenerative agriculture principles including minimising soil disturbance, maintaining year-round soil cover, increasing crop diversity and keeping living roots in the soil.
Keller added: “With this partnership, it’s not just about growing crops a bit differently; it’s about working to grow and support a more sustainable future for farmers and the landscapes we depend on. As a large food and drink company with a diverse supply chain underpinned by a network of farmers, collaboration is essential to help us achieve our sustainability goals. Wildfarmed is helping us lead the charge to ensure that our much-loved KitKat bars are made with sustainability at their core.”
Wildfarmed was founded by Andy Cato, George Lamb and Edd Lees and works with a network of British farmers using regenerative practices aimed at improving soil health, boosting biodiversity and increasing farm resilience.
Edd Lees, Wildfarmed CEO and co-founder, added: “Wildfarmed exists to make resilient, nature-rich farming mainstream. For too long, nature has effectively been priced at zero in our food system. Farmers have been pushed to maximise yield, often at the expense of soil, biodiversity and resilience. We believe it’s time to flip that model. 1.5 billion KitKat bars are made every year in the UK. Partnering with Nestlé to use regenerative British wheat is a big step forward in our mission to make regenerative farming the default, not the exception, and prove that nature restoration can sit at the heart of iconic brands.”
The partnership highlights growing interest in regenerative sourcing among major food manufacturers as they look to meet sustainability commitments and adjust to ongoing supply chain challenges.
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