Last month we went to visit Woody’s Legend Dairy where Lucy & Robert Noad are the fourth generation to farm at Woodhouse Farm in Semington, Wiltshire.

We went to see for ourselves how, with help from First Milk, they are transforming the way that they do business.

Impact Reporting

The Next Generation of Farming and Food – is sustainability enough, or is it time to really embrace regenerative agriculture?

We hear the word “sustainability” used in various senses on quite a few occasions these days, often linked to the Planet, although it means different things to different people. Sustainability is not just about climate change but refers to keeping any activity going forward – activities using up their resources or exhausting their foundations are not sustainable and activities that make things worse are degenerative. So sustainability is often mis-used, and ultimately it is probably not enough of an answer to our challenges in farming and food because we need to look beyond merely sustaining what we have.

Sustainability is no longer enough to help solve the world’s problems

Regenerative agriculture has yet to be given a common and definitive (legal) definition which is often tricky to try to establish, yet it could be a way to bring together learnings and outcomes to help steer the next generation of farmers by enabling them to think longer term and how they can begin to really have a positive impact in the face of the challenges many face today.

Are you a progressive food and drink business?

What does it mean to be thought provoking in food and drink in this decade?

It’s quite a statement for any business to say they are “progressive”, so what exactly does that signify in today's competitive world?

For many, it indicates that you might be an organisation who pushes to be ecologically sustainable, future respecting, and proactively social in approach - really considering all the citizens in and around your enterprise. And building this into values to ensure the culture is where everyone wants it to be.

But it’s essential that you are not only thinking about it, but you are demonstrating it with genuine intention, as it’s become core to your strategy and ways of working. This is key if you are to make strides forward, you will need to prove it.

strawberries are not just for Wimbledon - they’re for Christmas too! (and they’re not even berries)

No Lo drinks offer a low alcohol alternative to standard strength alcoholic drinks providing drinkers with a choice that they can enjoy on occasions when alcohol is the norm.

The importance of being optimistic was a common theme for speakers and guests at last week's first annual conference on The Future of Food & Drink in the South West - and alongside the people in and around an organisation these was seen as the biggest opportunities for growth in 2024 and beyond.

As the initial excitement has subsided, a new feeling of responsibility has emerged. We feel responsible for delivering more impact and living up to our potential for all our stakeholders, and we want to build a business that does better and does good! So rather than wait to share an annual impact report we thought we'd share some of what's been going on inside Maia - on our post-certification journey.