M&S customers will soon be able to purchase salad leaves that remain edible for an additional five days.
The longer storage life results from an innovative vertical agriculture technique that requires significantly reduced water usage and avoids chemical pesticides entirely, potentially helping families reduce discarded produce.
Andrew Clappen, M&S Food’s technical director, explained that the industry must develop novel growing approaches to ease environmental strain while maintaining superior taste and quality standards.
These Collection salad varieties are cultivated indoors specifically for Marks and Spencer using a method that substantially decreases water usage, contributing to the company’s Plan A objective of achieving net zero emissions across its supply chain by 2040.
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Produced in an entirely regulated setting, these new salad varieties are picked by sophisticated robotic systems, consuming up to 96 per cent less water, roughly 97 per cent less fertiliser, and containing zero pesticide residue.
The precise environmental conditions enable the salads to be gathered at the optimal stage for superior leaf quality, before being wrapped within 60 seconds.
This approach maintains leaf freshness for as many as five extra days compared to typical packaged salads.
Three fresh selections – Citrus Sorrel Baby Leaves, Spicy Baby Leaves, and Baby Garlic Kale – become available at M&S Food outlets this week.
The vertical farming items complement M&S’s Plan A for Farming initiative, a five-year pledge introduced previously to promote a more sustainable food future.
Fashion brand distributed through M&S reveals shutdown
A clothing retailer available at Marks & Spencer has revealed plans to cease operations following almost a decade of trading.
Kitri, recognised for its vibrant and modern women’s fashion, shared the news on social media recently.
Founder Haeni Kim stated this represented the only responsible path forward after having explored every possible avenue.
Ms Kim mentioned the closure had not come easily, describing stewardship of the label as one of the greatest privileges of her existence.
The London-founded brand was established by Ms Kim in 2017.
Subsequent to the closure disclosure, Kitri has initiated an online sale featuring discounts reaching 70 per cent on remaining inventory.
In an online statement, the company indicated they were beginning to wind down operations and invited customers to shop with KITRI one last time, including archive favourites and their final Spring Collection, all at reduced prices. Delivery and returns would continue as normal during this time.
The message thanked customers for the last nine years and expressed hope that these pieces would continue to bring joy for years to come.
The revelation drew sadness from supporters, who inundated Kitri’s Instagram with expressions of encouragement.
One response indicated genuine panic and heartbreak, stating the poster had loved the brand since the very beginning and there would be no dresses comparable to theirs.
Another backer commented that they would continue to wear their Kitri pieces with pride and would always be proud to have been a Kitri girl.
A further user expressed sorrow at the news, offering a big hug and lots of luck for the next chapter.