Peat is a reliable, consistent, and cheap growing medium for raising plants and mushrooms. However, draining peat bogs is ecologically disastrous. There are alternatives, but they are much more expensive, and, so far, not as reliable or easy to work with – but we’re determined to make it work.
Our Chestnut and Portobello mushrooms are now grown on a peat-free substrate. To support the grower with the cost and other economic challenges, we need to charge an extra 5p per punnet for Chestnuts and 25p for Portobellos. We have also just planted our tomatoes, starting them for the third year in a peat-free growing medium. So far, our trials suggest that we will lose 12% of the yield compared to using peat – but we will take the hit, knowing that innovation comes with cost and complexity.
Similarly, this summer, at least 65% of our deliveries will be made by electric vans. Our sums suggest that investing in electric vehicles to replace diesel costs us 15p more per mile initially (diminishing over time thanks to their efficiency) – although in reality, finding premises with adequate grid connections, and rearranging our delivery routes to accommodate the restricted range, has cost us more. Paying the voluntary Real Living Wage costs us roughly £600k per year. But the biggest discretionary cost that we absorb is looking after our small and medium-scale suppliers, who in turn look after their staff and the environment.
I am pretty sure that these are decisions which most of you support, and will view as vital investments to shape a fairer, more sustainable model. At the same time, our Co-owner Council rightly questioned whether we are meeting one of our founding principles: to be ‘affordable and accessible to all’. Balancing inclusivity now, with investment in our collective future, is a dilemma faced by businesses every day. How far should Riverford go in our (sometimes lonely) crusade for better business? Are we in danger of pursuing our principles so far that we fail, and become testimony to the cynical, self-fulfilling narrative that a better way isn’t possible? Right now, thanks to your support, it doesn’t look like it.
Eventually, we will learn to grow veg just as well without peat – but only if we keep doing the work now. Ten billion of us can live well on this planet, but we need to look to the long term, and act today.
Our News from the Farm posts come from Riverford. They are the digital versions of the printed letters which go out to customers, every week via Riverford’s veg boxes. Guy Singh-Watson’s weekly newsletters connect people to the farm with refreshingly honest accounts of the trials and tribulations of producing organic food, and the occasional rant about farming, ethical and business issues he feels strongly about.
It is sobering to read that peat free mediums are still not as effective as peat, though of course you must continue trying. (I am finding the same and it can be frustrating!) Do continue to update us on your progress with peat free alternatives, thanks
Guy, Thanks for sharing an insightful article. Hopefully with innovative approaches and collaborative effort saving peat bogs will be made a success. The hidden cost of business as usual is immense, damaged, depleted, and devoid of nature, the ground will not continue to support industrial farming. Sadly the industry juggernaut is likely to crash before people realise and take stock of the predictably awful consequences. So keep inspiring, innovating, and succeeding. You have our full support.