Premier Foods, Bartholomews partner to produce low-carbon wheat

UK – Premier Foods, one of the largest food manufacturers in the United Kingdom, is collaborating with wheat supplier Bartholomews to cultivate low-carbon wheat on 165 acres of arable land in southern England.

The purpose of the trial is to utilize renewable energy and focus on low-carbon fertilizers. This approach aims to provide a controlled release of nutrients, thereby reducing the overall need for fertilizer. As a result, the company hopes to lower its carbon footprint.

“In addition to selling flour under our McDougalls and Be-Ro brands, we incorporate flour into approximately half of the products we produce. Therefore, helping British farmers transition to lower-carbon wheat is essential for us to reduce our environmental impact,” said Gareth Pullan, the director of procurement at Premier Foods.

He further emphasized that this trial is just the beginning, as the company intends to apply the insights gained to support the wider adoption of lower-carbon farming practices across more farms in its supply chain.

Premier Foods is also committed to contributing to the broader efforts of the food industry in achieving Net Zero, with collaboration among supplier partners being a crucial part of this journey.

Sue Taylor, lead director at Bartholomews, highlighted the importance of working closely with farmers and food brands to foster sustainable change.

“At Bartholomews, we believe that the path to lower-carbon food begins with integrated thinking from field to table. We are pleased to collaborate with Premier Foods, as this partnership allows us to bridge the gap between agronomy, soil health, and practical on-farm practices — utilizing real data and innovative inputs to reduce emissions where it matters most,” Taylor noted.

Premier Foods plc is a British food manufacturer based in St Albans, Hertfordshire. It is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is part of the FTSE 250 Index.

The company’s brands include Ambrosia custards and rice pudding, Angel Delight desserts, Be-Ro flour, Bird’s custard and desserts, Cadbury cakes and cake mixes (manufactured under license from Mondelez International), Lyons cakes and baked goods, McDougalls flour, and Mr Kipling cakes and cake mixes.

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