Linking Environment And Farming Since 1991
Hospitality Sector
LEAF Marque Guide to Sustainable Sourcing
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Sustainability has become a commercial, operational, and reputational necessity in hospitality, as the sector faces increasing pressure from climate volatility, regulatory change, rising consumer expectations and geopolitics. These factors are placing pressure on supply, yet sourcing sustainable ingredients is often perceived as both operationally complex and financially burdensome.
Hospitality businesses have incredible power to drive positive change upstream through their procurement choices. With the sector under unprecedented pressure, having a system like LEAF Marque in place is more valuable than ever, making it simple and straightforward for operators to identify environmentally responsible producers” CEO of The Sustainable Restaurant Association, Juliane Caillouette Noble
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LEAF Marque offers a proven solution. It is an independently governed, globally applied farmenvironmental certification scheme requiring third-party certification bodies to hold formal accreditation to ISO17065. It recognises farmed products that have been produced through practices and management systems aligned to the principles of Integrated Farm Management (IFM). LEAF Marque helps hospitality businesses make responsible sourcing choices, track and share their environmental and social impact, and confidently communicate their sustainability efforts in a credible way.
The LEAF Marque is widely recognised across the UK supply chain & is gaining increasing visibility globally, driven by its strong adoption within both retail & wholesale sectors in the UK.
9,500+
LEAF Marque certified farmers & growers
in 60 countries
LEAF Marque produce is embedded in the Global supply chain with UK retailers committing to world-wide procurement with LEAF Marque, including Tesco, Asda, Waitrose & M&S. LEAF can help you find Marque certified farmers, growers & their produce and wholesale. 3
What is LEAF Marque & Integrated Farm Management (IFM)? LEAF Marque is an accredited global farm assurance standard that recognises products that have been produced using management practices that are designed to enhance environmental outcomes. All LEAF Marque certified farms have been independently audited against the robust LEAF Marque Standard, meaning LEAF Marque certification is not a self-declared claim. LEAF Marque provides a credible, structured, and proven system for sustainable sourcing, giving procurement teams essential support in the complex challenge of sourcing sustainably, profitably and in line with rapidly changing compliance requirements. The LEAF model of IFM integrates the three pillars of sustainability (economic, environmental and social), through a whole-farm, holistic approach, unique to every business and comprises nine sections (*see diagram).
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Integrated Farm Management requires consideration of every aspect of the farm business; this approach ensures positive measures that are taken in one area do not impact negatively on another. It also highlights practices that benefit the entire farm. Integrated Farm Management also takes a farm-specific approach, recognising that every business is unique and emphasising continuous improvement. This enables farmers and growers to systematically deliver more sustainable practices, aligned with the specific commercial, social, and environmental conditions of each individual farm. Regenerative Agriculture practices are encompassed within IFM and therefore LEAF Marque; where IFM provides a whole farm management framework, Regenerative Agriculture sits within this, shaping the decisions made.
LEAF Marque certification is supported by an online self-assessment tool, called the LEAF Sustainable Farming Review (LSFR) that helps farmers make informed, sustainable business decisions while applying Integrated Farm Management principles. It also generates valuable reporting that benefits both individual farm performance and the wider agricultural industry, alongside meeting recognised assurance standards such as Red Tractor.
Farmers apply for LEAF Marque certification through an accredited body and participate in an independent onfarm audit to showcase their sustainability practices and the outcomes that they achieve, on farm. Once the standard is met, certification is awarded, recognising the commitment to sustainable farming. This ongoing annual process helps farmers track progress, strengthen performance, and drive continuous improvement over time.
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Sustainability for strategic advantage. Operating with sustainability at the core of a hospitality business has become a commercial, reputational, and operational imperative, driven by tightening environmental legislation, growing consumer expectations, and the need to build resilience into supply chains facing climate volatility, soil degradation, water stress, and biodiversity loss, alongside evolving disclosure requirements. LEAF Marque directly supports these needs by providing a robust framework that enhances supply chain integrity, environmental performance, and long term operational resilience. Sourcing sustainably is attainable with LEAF Marque supply; LEAF Marque verifies that food has been grown to a high environmental standard and is already widely embedded across UK retail, wholesale, and finance sectors. This means hospitality businesses can adopt it with minimal friction and achieve immediate impact. For procurement teams, it provides a structured and credible pathway for sustainable sourcing. For sustainability leads, it enables stronger marketing claims, improved data quality, and alignment with the frameworks shaping the sector’s future, from Sourcing Better and the SRA Biodiversity Toolkit to government ambitions for higher standard public procurement. In short, LEAF Marque transforms sustainability from an operational burden into a strategic advantage.
The LEAF Marque logo can be found on pack in a range of UK retailers, including Tesco, Waitrose, Lidl & the Co-op.
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By promoting climate-resilient practices such as soil regeneration, water efficiency, and biodiversity protection, LEAF Marque helps futureproof food supply in an increasingly unpredictable world. Aligning sourcing strategies with LEAF Marque strengthens supply chain resilience by supporting climate-resilient, environmentally responsible farming and reducing operational risk. It enhances supplier reliability through independently verified standards, ensuring consistent quality, while providing credible assurance that meets growing consumer demand for sustainability. Recognised globally, LEAF Marque also expands access to trusted suppliers, helping hospitality businesses diversify and future-proof their supply chains while building brand trust and differentiation.
LEAF Marque certification provides peace of mind and recognition of rigour of certification.” Emily Pinkney, Senior Sustainability Manager, Fresh Direct
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What LEAF Marque provides & what this means for the hospitality sector: Access to farms meeting a rigorous, independently verified standard, ensuring: ▷ Support in generating supply resilience ▷ Reduced exposure to environmental & regulatory risks ▷ Continuous improvement in farming practices
LEAF Marque’s IFM principles promote practices & outcomes in: ▷ Soil health
▷ Water stewardship
▷ Biodiversity protection ▷ Pollution reduction ▷ Climate resilience
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LEAF Marque certification works to build more dependable supply for the future, to mitigate issues for consistent supply of high-quality perishables to the hospitality sector.
The hospitality sector is increasingly affected by environmental disruptions from extreme weather to supply disruptions in global food systems. Sustainable farming practices reduce vulnerability to these shocks & provide a more stable supply of products.
Robust data & evidence of sustainable farming:
LEAF Marque provides the evidence of sustainable sourcing for all stakeholder needs, from ESG Board level to consumer facing claims. It also helps operators verify that suppliers comply with environmental standards without extensive additional audits.
▷ Robust, reliable data reporting on the practices farmers are adopting to protect & enhance natural resources across the globe, as well as the positive environmental outcomes they achieve. ▷ Clear claims & labelling guidance to assure credibility in supply chains.
LEAF Marque wholly responds to changes in EU law with the Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition Directive (ECGT). Providing ability for businesses to communicate their sourcing with confidence.
▷ A whole farm standard covering all products & activities, ensuring consistent sustainability practices. ▷ Independent, third party assurance accredited by UKAS to ISO/IEC 17065, demonstrating that LEAF Marque certification is carried out impartially, competently, & to internationally recognised standards.
Critical mass of certified supply base: LEAF Marque certification is recognised by major global retailer, brands, supply chains & is adopted by farmers in over 50 countries.
Access to a larger pool of verified sustainable suppliers, across the quality spectrum, helps reduce reliance on a small number of vendors - a key risk identified in hospitality supply chains.
Meeting consumer needs: Customer expectation for sustainable practices in the hospitality sector is on the rise. LEAF Marque certified producers support this by offering: ▷ Environmentally responsible products ▷ Verified sustainability practices
▷ Community engagement & social responsibility practices.
Sourcing LEAF Marque produce helps hospitality businesses meet their sustainability promises, respond to guest expectations now & future, whilst maintaining competitiveness. 9
Strengthen ESG reporting & compliance. Environmental claims are under intense scrutiny, with new UK and EU legislation tightening rules on labelling, substantiation and the use of terms such as “sustainable”, “regenerative” or “nature‑friendly” with the introduction of the EU Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition Directive. LEAF Marque wholly responds to the directive, with auditing carried out by third party, independent, ISO 17065 accredited certification bodies; it is developed with the consultation of experts and stakeholders, contains provision to suspend or withdraw certificates and has no restrictions on participation. Furthermore, as ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance, a framework used to evaluate how responsibly a company manages its environmental impact, social relationships, and corporate governance practice) frameworks and disclosure requirements evolve, hospitality businesses need credible, verified data.
LEAF Marque delivers:
Robust environmental data & outcomes from farm level Alignment with emerging sustainability frameworks & procurement standards Reduced need for additional supplier audits 10
This enables sustainability & procurement teams to:
Track & report progress with confidence Demonstrate measurable environmental impact Align sourcing with corporate ESG strategies
Richer brand storytelling. As consumers become increasingly interested in where their food comes from and how it is produced, aligning with LEAF Marque enables hospitality operators to bring credible and meaningful sourcing stories to life. LEAF Marque supports operators to: Tell authentic, evidence-based stories about soil health, biodiversity, water stewardship, and regenerative farming outcomes, using toolkits that translate these practices into clear, engaging narratives. Build trust and emotional connection with guests through transparent, values-driven communication about how ingredients are grown and their wider impact. Showcase ingredients with verified environmental provenance, strengthening brand identity and reinforcing a commitment to responsible sourcing.
The opportunity to embed LEAF Marque into your business. LEAF membership can help you and your wholesaler transform your supply chain into a resilient, transparent, and future-ready foundation for growth. For LEAF members, access to LEAF Marque certified farmers and growers enables streamlined sourcing across key categories such as fresh produce, meat, dairy, eggs, and cereals, supporting the integration of independently verified sustainable products directly into procurement processes. By embedding LEAF Marque into purchasing decisions, menu development, and supplier engagement, hospitality businesses can strengthen supply chain resilience, enhance ESG reporting, and bring credible sustainability stories to life for guests. This approach not only ensures assured, sustainably verified sourcing but also builds trust, differentiates offerings, and aligns with growing consumer demand for responsibly produced food.
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What LEAF Marque certification means for Fresh Direct customers.
Fresh Direct’s UK Fresh Produce supply is
100%
LEAF Marque certified
All Fresh Direct produce, sourced from contracted British growers is 100% LEAF Marque certified, providing our customers with the assurance that they are serving fresh produce from farmers and growers working to reduce carbon emissions, enhance biodiversity on farm and continuously improve soil health. Furthermore, depending on the business’s procurement models, allowing Fresh Direct and our customers to communicate the positive impact that farmers and growers are achieving, and that LEAF Marque is supporting. Through our commitment to LEAF Marque, we are able to report on the practices of our UK farmers and growers, with for example 91% measuring soil organic matter, demonstrating a high level of focus on monitoring soil health; as well as providing an average of 8% habitat area, reflecting the integration of biodiversity within productive farming systems. Plus 71% of Fresh Direct growers report using a Carbon Footprint Tool, indicating strong engagement in measuring and managing greenhouse gas emissions” Emily Pinkney, Senior Sustainability Manager, Fresh Direct.
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Wahaca insights into sustainable sourcing. When our founders, Thomasina Miers and Mark Selby set up Wahaca, it was always their intention to create a ‘sustainable’ restaurant and to achieve this, responsible sourcing is one of the biggest impacts we can have. We do this though a holistic lens: in addition to carbon, our identified priorities also include soil health, biodiversity and increasingly water. Integral to our sourcing strategy are the questions we ask of our supply base, for example: What practices are being deployed within biodiversity and water? How do they measure soil health, water usage and biodiversity on farm? Are they aiming for YOY improvements? Are they certified by a credible certification scheme like LEAF Marque? With insights such as these, we source ingredients and design menus which reduce impact on the planet to fulfil both our founder’s intent and the general public’s expectations of businesses to operate sustainably.” Carolyn Lum, Sustainability Lead, Wahaca. 13
Photo © Carl Pendle
How LEAF Marque helps Barfoots grow better produce.
Barfoots specialises in sustainably grown speciality vegetables, supplying major supermarkets and restaurant chains from our UK base, in West Sussex, and our global supply network. Barfoots was founded in 1976 and became LEAF Marque certified 30 years ago, driven by our founder Peter Barfoot’s vision to, ‘look after the land like you are going to farm forever’. Today, we work with a carefully selected global network of growers, many of whom use LEAF Marque certification as a trusted, objective sustainability benchmark, which they use to evidence their commitment to sustainability. LEAF Marque is a strong tool to support growers in identifying and addressing the most relevant sustainability issues through Integrated Farm Management, tailored to local context. 14
Barfoots are a LEAF Demonstration Farm and this, together with the wider LEAF network, supports farmers and growers through knowledge exchange and supply chain engagement, promoting sustainable practices in the industry. This work is recognised through LEAF Marque certification, supported by an audit process designed to be constructive and farmer focused. We know that availability, service and quality are critical for our customers, and we take a long-term view of supply chain resilience. This highlights the importance of building regenerative farming systems, with a strong focus on healthy soils, so that we can continue to consistency produce high quality crops in a changing climate. At Barfoots, we are a long-term supporter of LEAF, and our participation as a Beacon of Excellence partner focused on peer to peer learning, and our role as a LEAF Demonstration Farm reflects our commitment to sharing best practice, driving continuous improvement, and inspiring positive change across the sector.” Dr Hazel Smith, Head of Supply Development, Barfoots.
Glossary: Accredited Certification Certification delivered by a certification body that has been independently assessed and approved to operate against recognised international standards.
Certification Body An independent organisation authorised to assess and certify businesses against a specific standard.
ISO 17065 An internationally recognised standard that sets requirements for organisations certifying products, processes, and services.
Third-Party Certification Certification provided by an independent organisation rather than by the producer or purchaser of a product.
UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service) The UK’s national accreditation body responsible for assessing and accrediting certification, testing, and inspection organisations.
Interested in finding out more on how LEAF Marque can support your hospitality business? Get in touch: info@leafmarque.com 15
Linking Environment And Farming Since 1991
LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming) Bragborough Hall Business Centre, Welton Road, Braunston, Daventry, NN11 7JG
www.leaf.eco enquiries@leaf.eco 02476 413 911 @LEAF_Farming LEAF is a registered charity (Number 1045781).
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