by Jodie Simm | Jul 18, 2025 | News
A new nationwide survey commissioned by GrowUp Farms has found that the majority of UK shoppers are actively looking for more homegrown fruit and vegetables. The research, conducted with 2,000 UK adults, highlights a strong appetite for locally produced food and a desire for greater transparency about where produce comes from.
The findings show that eight in ten people are trying to add more British-grown produce to their baskets, while three in four say they would pay more for UK-grown options. Despite this, only six per cent of respondents know where their food is grown – and two-thirds want that to change.
Our Managing Director, Will Howard commented:
“There’s real power in choosing local – it means fewer food miles, fresher taste, and more support for British farmers. But there is still a lot more to be done.”
The story has received widespread media attention, appearing in the Daily Mirror, Daily Express, The Sun and Daily Star, as well as two print publications.
by Jodie Simm | Jun 27, 2025 | News
The UK Government’s new 10-year Industrial Strategy has officially recognised agri-tech as one of the nation’s “frontier sectors”, alongside industries such as aerospace and advanced materials. This milestone reflects the growing innovation, collaboration, and commercial potential of agriculture technology in the UK.
The strategy includes a £200 million commitment to the Farming Innovation Programme, running until 2030. This investment will help agri-tech businesses, like GrowUp Farms, scale up solutions that can tackle some of the biggest challenges in food production and sustainability.
Agri-tech’s importance is clear. As Richard Waite from the World Resources Institute puts it:
“Worried about biodiversity loss? Focus on food.
Worried about deforestation? Focus on food.
Worried about overfishing? Focus on food.
Worried about climate change? Focus on energy. And food.”
With the number of UK agri-tech startups increasing 40-fold in the past decade (UK Research and Innovation), this recognition signals a new era for innovation in farming. It’s an opportunity to strengthen the UK’s food system, reduce environmental impacts, and ensure greater resilience in the supply chain.
At GrowUp Farms, our purpose is to change the world by growing better. This platform gives our sector the visibility and support needed to keep developing sustainable, technology-driven solutions for the UK and beyond.
by Jodie Simm | Jun 5, 2025 | News
GrowUp Farms has achieved an AA+ rating in our latest BRCGS Global Standard for Food Safety audit, a globally recognised certification that reflects our ongoing commitment to the highest standards of food safety, product quality, and operational excellence.
The AA+ rating is the highest possible result and recognises the strength of our food safety culture. Achieving it takes more than passing an inspection, it requires year-round commitment, shared responsibility, and a team that consistently upholds high standards in every part of the business.
To mark the achievement, the team celebrated with cake featuring our food safety mascot, SARA, a reminder of our approach: Spot. Access. Report. Act
by Jodie Simm | May 19, 2025 | News
Unbeleafable’s New Look Has Landed!
We’re shaking up the salad aisle with a bold Unbeleafable new look, a fresh identity that’s as vibrant and flavourful as the leaves inside every pack.
Our love for fresh flavours, vibrant food, and healthy eating inspired us to reimagine what salad can be. We wanted to make it something to get excited about, not just a bit on the side. The Unbeleafable new look reflects that spirit: bright, positive, and packed with purpose. 🌿
This refresh is more than just a design update. It’s a reflection of our mission to grow tastier leaves for a happier planet, using the sustainable farming innovation we’re proud of at GrowUp Farms.
A huge thank-you to our amazing team for bringing this to life, your creativity and passion made it happen. 💚
You can find our Unbeleafable new look in Tesco now, and on shelves in Sainsbury’s and Co-op from June.
by Jodie Simm | May 9, 2025 | News
This week, GrowUp Farms submitted our B Impact Assessment as part of the recertification process to remain a Certified B Corporation. A B Corp goes through this process every three years to ensure accountability and continuous improvement.
To explore what this means in practice, we asked our Impact Analyst, Elliot Baird, to share his perspective:
“Being a Benefit Company and a Certified B Corp means we consider the impact of our business decisions on all our stakeholders – not just shareholders. We don’t just think about financial success, we take what’s called the ‘triple bottom line’ approach. This means we evaluate not only our financial performance but our social and environmental impact too.
Before I joined GrowUp, I didn’t know what B Corp was. Now my mum is looking for B Corps on the shelves. For me, it’s about transparency: consumers flicking on the lights and peering through the one-way mirror. How does this business work? How do they treat their people? Are they doing good by the planet? Being a B Corp empowers us as a purpose-driven organisation, and purpose is what gets me out of bed in the morning.”
The B Corp legal commitment matters. It ensures our company exists to have a positive impact on society and the environment, as well as making a profit. Purpose isn’t just about the people in the business today; it’s embedded in the business itself, no matter the changes or competing interests.
by Jodie Simm | Mar 14, 2025 | News
This week, our Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer, Tom Webster, joined a panel at Economist Impact’s 10th Annual Sustainability Week. The discussion brought together leaders from across the food sector, including Jeff Tripician (Creminelli Fine Meats), Sally Smith (Flora Food Group), Roel van Poppel (Olam Food Ingredients), Isaac Berzin (Vaxa Life), and Sara Guaglio (FUL Foods), to explore the biggest challenges in our food system and the innovations that could reshape it.
The panel addressed one central question: how can we build a secure, sustainable food system for a growing global population?
Key insights from the discussion
- The next generation of food: Ensuring security and sustainability will require innovation across the entire system.
- Consumer demand drives change: People’s choices shape the pace and direction of transformation.
- Hybrid production is the future: A mix of traditional farming, vertical farming, and alternative production methods will be needed to feed the world.
- Food is an experience: Beyond sustainability and efficiency, we must protect the cultural and emotional value of food.
- Taste, price, and convenience: These remain the biggest drivers of change, and are essential to winning consumer adoption of new systems.
As Tom highlighted, no single solution can solve food security. Vertical farming is one important piece of the puzzle, but progress will depend on collaboration across the food system.
