Retail First: M&S Sells Vertically Farmed Salad in UK Shops
The British retailer has secured an exclusive supply of three varieties grown with 96% less water than traditional methods as part of its Plan A sustainability programme.
Marks & Spencer has begun stocking three vertically farmed salad products across its Food stores following a multi-year development partnership with Planet Farms. The move could represent a shift in how major retailers source fresh produce as pressure builds to reduce agricultural environmental impact.
The arrangement makes Marks & Spencer the first UK retailer to offer own-label vertically farmed salad products at a national scale. The exclusivity agreement covers three varieties: Citrus Sorrel Baby Leaves, Spicy Baby Leaves and Baby Garlic Kale.
The products form part of Marks & Spencer's Plan A for Farming, a five-year programme targeting net zero emissions across its supply chain by 2040. The retailer has been working with growers to test production methods that reduce resource consumption while maintaining product specifications.
Sourcing strategy and supplier partnership
Planet Farms has supplied the vertical farming infrastructure and operational expertise. Daniele Benatoff, Co-Founder and CEO of Planet Farms, says: "After years of close collaboration and joint development with M&S, we are incredibly proud to launch four M&S own-label products nationwide and deliver the UK's first own-label vertically farmed salad range."
The partnership involved joint product development to meet Marks & Spencer's quality specifications. According to Daniele, this included aligning on "quality and innovation and the passion for exceptional produce that brought Planet Farms and M&S together in the first place."
The vertical farming system uses robotics to plant seeds and UV lighting to control growing conditions. The crops are grown indoors without soil, instead using a substrate that provides nutrients directly to plants.
Leaves are harvested and packed within 60 seconds, which could extend shelf life and reduce waste in both the supply chain and in customer homes. The products do not require washing before consumption, removing a processing step for end users.
Resource efficiency and procurement implications
According to Planet Farms, the vertical farming method uses 96% less water than conventional agriculture. The system eliminates pesticide requirements entirely.
The controlled environment allows production independent of seasonal weather patterns. This could provide procurement teams with more predictable supply volumes throughout the year.
Vertical farming produces crops in stacked layers within warehouses or greenhouses, increasing yield per square metre of land. The approach integrates artificial control of temperature, humidity and light to maintain growing conditions.
The substrate-based growing system delivers nutrients directly to crops rather than relying on soil quality. This could reduce variability in product specifications linked to soil conditions in traditional agriculture.
Supply chain positioning
Andrew Clappen, Director of Technical for M&S Food, says: "The future of food is about finding new and innovative methods which put less pressure on the environment while delivering the best in market flavour and quality.
"These Collection salads are vertically grown exclusively for M&S and bring new flavours to our customers with a dramatically reduced water consumption – supporting our Plan A goal to reach net zero by 2040 across our supply chain."
The vertical farming products sit within a broader supplier development programme at Marks & Spencer. The retailer is working with agricultural suppliers to adopt regenerative farming practices including cover crops, herbal leys, reduced tillage and establishment of hedgerows and trees.
The programme targets improvements in soil health and biodiversity across its farming supplier base. Vertical farming represents an alternative sourcing route that bypasses soil-based agriculture entirely while addressing similar environmental procurement criteria.
Daniele says: "We are excited to bring these new products to customers across the country."
