Oxfordshire food firm launches UK's first all-purpose regenerative white flour
An Oxfordshire food company says it has created the UK’s first all-purpose regenerative white flour as it bids to support sustainable farming methods.
Matthews Cotswold Flour, based in Shipton under Wychwood, uses grains for the new product, which have been regeneratively farmed and aim to restore and improve soil health and biodiversity.
"Regenerative Agriculture is a term that refers to a farming model of growing food that protects and improves soil health, biodiversity, water retention and quality. Farmers use a host of practices including, but not limited to, reducing soil disturbance, implementing wide crop diversity, integrating livestock, maintaining living routes and protecting the soil surface," explained Bertie Matthews, the managing director of the firm, which has partnered with a select group of local farmers.
"Our new All Purpose Regenerative White Flour is a flour that we have produced using wholly regeneratively farmed grains and yet we are able to sell it at a competitive price that makes it affordable for all, unlike many other sustainable products that unfortunately come at a premium.
"It is strong enough to make basic breads, especially breads that prove in a tin, but also soft enough to make more delicate bakes such as cakes, pastries and biscuits. It is a great option in the ongoing cost of living crisis as it allows for a more diverse range of recipes from just one bag of regeneratively farmed flour."
Matthews added: "For years British farmers have been incorporating these practices and making real tangible change to the landscape.
"It is now the turn of food producers, millers and bakers to play their part and get these incredible products into people's homes."
Ed Horton, a local farmer involved, said: "Our farm works as a holistic system. Each aspect of it gives something back, whether that is adding organic matter and sequestering carbon in the soil, increasing biodiversity by the creation of habitats, protecting and improving water quality in the three rivers that run through us, the production of nutrient dense food for consumers in the form of grains, pulses, oilseeds, bulbs and meat.
"All of these things work together to create a benefit for all. As owners of the land I have always been brought up to know that we are only guardians of it for our generation and that it should be passed to the next in a better state than we took it on."
Matthews Cotswold Flour is a 200 year-old family business and boasts a range of over 100 varieties of flour.
Through its local Cotswold Grain Partnership and a system of fair trade pricing, the firm works with farmers to grow in a regenerative way that protects the soil and develops wildlife.
The new regenerative white flour is available directly from the company's website as well as Tesco RRP £2.20 for 1.5kg.
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