THE Aldi store in Daventry is the first in the UK to stock a new range of green beans harvested by farmers in Kitale, Western Kenya, as part of the retailer’s partnership with the charity Farm Africa.
In 2016, Aldi teamed up with the international development charity to support young farmers in Kenya through its Growing Futures project. Throughout the three-year partnership, the retailer has pledged to donate more than £250,000 to Farm Africa.
To date the project has worked with more than 400 young people and has helped them to grow and sell vegetables that are in high demand, so they can earn an income and build sustainable businesses.
The green beans are the first product from the partnership to hit Aldi’s shelves, with the store in Daventry among the first to stock the produce.
Fritz Walleczek, Managing Director of Corporate Responsibility at Aldi, said: “It’s fantastic to see the first produce as part of our Farm Africa partnership going into our Daventry store. By supporting young people in rural areas to increase harvests and create better incomes for themselves, Growing Futures will equip young people with the skills they need to escape poverty, allow them to become wealth creators and build for a more sustainable future.”
Farm Africa works with small-scale farmers, government and private sector organisations across Africa to boost food production, creating more sustainable and commercial farming that builds rural incomes and sustains natural resources.
Nicolas Mounard, Chief Executive of Farm Africa, said: “We’re pleased to see growing interest among consumers about the origin of the food they buy. Aldi’s sale of beans grown by Growing Futures farmers is a win-win for Kenyan farmers and British customers alike. The young farmers benefit from an international market, while customers benefit from clarity about the journey of their vegetables from farm to supermarket trolley.”