Tesco, the UK’s largest supermarket, has become the latest retailer to support the campaign back by Selaine Saxby MP, which called on supermarkets to implement an online ‘Buy British’ button.
In August 2023, Selaine Saxby, Member of Parliament for North Devon, and over 120 other MPs signed an open letter calling on supermarkets to highlight the very best of British produce by implementing a ‘Buy British’ section online to make it easier for people to buy homegrown produce.
The letter, written by Dr Luke Evans MP, stated ‘Our ask is simple, create a tab that collates produce from farmers,’ citing consumer choice, environmental benefits, and support for farmers as reasons to make the change.
Now, Tesco’s have followed Morrisons, Aldi, Sainsbury’s, Ocado, Co-op and Waitrose by launching a ‘Best of British’ section online which the retailer’s Chief Commercial Officer says “[brings] together over 500 hundred quality, affordable British products to choose from.”
Local MP, Selaine Saxby said:
“It is great news that Tesco, the largest British supermarket, have become the latest chain to include a British section on their website. Having recently done a surgery at the Tesco in Barnstaple, I know how important their stores are to our local community. This is a significant step in ensuring supermarkets are doing their bit to both support our farmers and our environment by encouraging their customers to buy British produce. Additionally, for the consumer, a ‘Buy British’ section expands choice and offers up the best of home grown produce, including meat, dairy and vegetables straight from our farms.
“I will continue to back our British farmers, especially our brilliant farmers in North Devon. This campaign is great in boosting their business, which is why I very much welcome this online launch from Tesco, which now has over 500 affordable British products available online, and I hope Tesco support for our great British farmers is reflected in the prices farmers receive for their produce”
Dr Luke Evans, Member of Parliament for Bosworth, said:
“I’m pleased to welcome Tesco to the fray. It’s great to see the UK’s largest supermarket join other major retailers in implementing an online ‘Buy British’ section which will support our farmers and give consumers greater choice.
“This is really welcome news and a step forward in supporting our nation’s food growers and producers by showcasing over 500 homegrown items, with everything from meat and vegetables to dairy products now easier to find on the ‘Best of British’ tab.”
David Exwood, NFU Deputy President, said:
“We know from our own independent research that the public want to buy more British food from retailers which is why it is good news to see Tesco join six other supermarkets to add a buy British section on its website.
“We have been championing this important issue since 2016 and today’s news is a fantastic result for the campaign organised by Dr Luke Evans MP. It offers shoppers a direct way to support their local farms and buy homegrown produce.”
Ashwin Prasad, Tesco’s Chief Commercial Officer, said:
“Supporting British farmers, growers and suppliers remains critical to ensuring we have a robust food industry here in the UK, and we count ourselves as proud champions of British agriculture, striving to source produce from the UK wherever possible.
“Our customers share our love for British produce, and we want to do all we can to make it as easy to find as possible, no matter how they shop with us, so we’re thrilled to be launching our Best of British page on our groceries website, bringing together over 500 hundred quality, affordable British products to choose from.”
