Puffin Produce wins national award for sustainability in UK

Puffin Produce, based in Pembrokeshire, was named the winner of the Best Environmental/Sustainability Initiative at the British Potato Awards 2025.

The award recognises Puffin Produce’s holistic approach to long-term sustainability, alongside tangible actions for growers.

Emma Adams, head of sustainability at Puffin Produce, said: “This award is a superb achievement for all those involved in our sustainability initiatives, from farm to fork.

“It shows how collaborative actions can work alongside agile investment to provide rapid, measurable solutions that really make a difference to the environment around us.

“Agricultural systems are complex, but they also provide opportunities to meet the challenges of the climate crisis, if we work together.”

Puffin Produce launched its Sustainable Spuds grower scheme in winter 2024.

The sector-leading scheme is designed to drive environmental improvements across the entire production cycle and rewards farmers for delivering positive environmental outcomes.

Farmers can earn a premium for efforts that improve nutrient efficiency, soil health, biodiversity, energy use, and emissions reduction.

The company is also known for ROOT ZERO, the UK’s first carbon-neutral potato, launched in 2021.

ROOT ZERO aims to reduce carbon intensity by 51 per cent per kilogram of potatoes by 2030 and is packaged in 100 per cent plastic-free, compostable, and recyclable materials.

Puffin Produce also supports consumer education on reducing food waste and promoting energy-efficient cooking.

It donates 0.5p per pack sold to the Bumblebee Conservation Trust.

Through the Science Based Targets Initiative, Puffin Produce aims to reduce Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 46 per cent by 2030 and achieving a 90 per cent reduction across all scopes by 2040.

Since 2019, the company has already cut operational emissions by 30 per cent.

A major factor has been the installation of two megawatts of solar panels across 6,000 square metres of roof space, allowing the business to be entirely self-powered during the summer.

This investment saves approximately 2.4 tonnes of CO2e per day.

Puffin Produce also purchases zero-carbon energy for its winter operations and is actively moving away from fossil fuel use.

The company has exceeded its commitment under Courtauld 2030 to cut food waste by 50 per cent, instead recording a 57 per cent reduction.

It works with FareShare Cymru through the Surplus with Purpose scheme, having contributed enough produce to create two million meals.

Puffin Produce is the only BRC AA+ accredited vegetable processing facility in Wales.

It supplies roughly 80 per cent of its produce from within a 50-mile radius.

The business is also home to two PGI (Protected Geographical Indicator) products: Pembrokeshire Early Potatoes and Welsh Leeks.