Supermarket chain Morrisons has chosen 50 stores in Yorkshire to start selling carbon neutral eggs from hens fed on a soya-free diet of insects in turn fed on food waste from the supermarket’s bakery, fruit and vegetables.
This ‘circular waste’ feeding scheme, powered by Better Origin technology, reduces deforestation caused by soya production and negates the carbon emissions emitted from transporting this soya.
Insects are a natural part of bird’s diets and wild birds seek out insects as they forage. The insects are nutritious and rich in essential amino acids and healthy fats.
The farm where the first stock of Planet Friendly Eggs will come from also has a large wind turbine, 50kWh solar panels, and a carbon sequestration programme to offset any remaining emissions on the farm.
The eggs are set to be the first to feature a green version of the usually red British Lion egg stamp on its eggs to highlight their carbon neutral status.
They are initially available in 50 Yorkshire stores with a national rollout planned for 2023.
Morrisons has a commitment to be directly supplied by ‘zero emission’ British farms by 2030. Planet Friendly Eggs are the first step towards achieving this goal.
Morrisons has been working with farmers to create net zero carbon farm ‘models’ which look at neutralising emissions through whole lifecycles and farm footprints.
NFU food business relationships adviser Annabel James said: “We are pleased to see Morrisons working in partnership with farmers to establish working models which support farmers on their journey to net zero.”
