Nature's Choice is an integrated farm management scheme and is unique to Tesco. Introduced in 1992, it sets environmental standards and specifies shape, size, taste, variety and shelf life requirements.
Nature's Choice environmental standards:
- Rational use of plant protection products, fertilisers and manures;
- Pollution prevention;
- Protection of human health;
- Use of energy, water and other natural resources;
- Recycling and re-use of material;
- Wildlife and landscape conservation and enhancement.
Farms must have a plan for managing the environment, detailing action to protect and encourage wildlife diversity, including planting hedgerows and creating wildlife corridors. Pollution control and energy use are also important parts of the scheme, with specific controls on discharges to local watercourses, and energy use reviews by independent third parties.
The scheme applies to all fruit, vegetable and salad suppliers to our UK market. Over 6,000 farms in 41 countries are currently working towards the scheme's requirements. Nature's Choice requires suppliers and growers to undergo regular audits, and Tesco requires a third-party audit to apply independent verification of the Nature's Choice standards.
Within Poland ECAS is able to perform these audits with local auditors.
Documents:
Download Tesco Nurture audit request form