Eurostar Commodities has rolled out a line of regenerative flours with the aim of redefining ‘how the food industry thinks about sustainable production of British flour’.
Called Rise Re:Gen, the range is farmed in collaboration with The Green Farm Collective (GFC), a group of British farmers dedicated to regenerative principles. Founded after the farmers met in the ‘Soil Farmer of the Year’ competition, GFC believes in regenerative agriculture and the benefits of reduced pesticides, increased carbon capture and improved biodiversity, water, air and soil.
The Rise Re:Gen flour is available in 16kg fully recyclable paper sacks in two variants – Strong White Flour ideal for use in bread, pizza, and other products that demand a strong flour base, and All Purpose Flour designed for general baking applications.
Diane Crabtree, sales manager for Rise Re:Gen, described it as a “significant launch” for the UK food industry.
“We’re not just offering a product; we’re offering a solution,” Crabtree added. “Our flours are designed to meet the needs of environmentally conscious manufacturers who want to make a positive impact without compromising on taste or consistent performance to meet the needs of consumers.”
The use of flour grown via regenerative methods has grown rapidly in the baking industry over the last few years with several players now offering regeneratively-sourced products. This includes ADM which rolled out Nature’s Gold Regeneratively Sourced Baker’s Bread Flour last year and 2023 Sustainability Initiative of the Year winner Wildfarmed. It’s flour is used by several major players including M&S, Greggs, and The Bread Factory. It has also taken its proposition direct to consumers with the launch of a Wildfarmed branded bread range in Waitrose in April 2024.
There isn’t a set standard for regenerative farming meaning standards for the various schemes may vary. Farmers in The Green Farm Collective operate under a set of standards which include a adopting a nutrient management plan, ensuring a biodiversity policy is in place, diverse crop rotation, no more than 180 kg/ha total nitrogen, and minimal soil disturbance to name a few.
Angus Gowthorpe, farmer & founding member of the GFC said it was evident from early on that Eurostar Commodities “understood the importance of regenerative farming practices to ensure the longevity of British farming”.
“They were keen to work exclusively with Green Farm Collective as we are all British farmers who are passionate about nurturing and improving soil biodiversity and improving water and carbon retention in the soil. All of which helps the environment by reducing carbon output, reducing flood and drought risk in crops, and encouraging wildlife.
“Eurostar have committed to a long-term partnership with GFC, to grow and develop sales channels for regenerative flour, as they believe wholeheartedly that consumers and industry will want to support regenerative farming in the UK for future sustainability,” Gowthorpe added.
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