Did you know that chickens evolved in the jungles of southern Asia? This surprising fact is the basis of our hugely successful partnership with Sainsbury’s. Together we’ve turned eggs into trees – more than 3.9 million of them.
Well, chickens’ jungle roots mean they are happier and healthier when allowed to roam under the shelter of trees; and healthier hens lay better eggs.
With this in mind, Sainsbury’s launched woodland eggs back in 2004, with 1p donated to the Woodland Trust for every 12 sold. Things have gone pretty well since:
Credit: WTML
Woodland chicken and turkey were launched with combined sales of over 48 million to date. Donations are also received from Sainsbury's Best of British apples, Taste the Difference honey and bags for life.
Credit: Michael Cooper / WTML
More than 25,000 Woodland Trust Free Tree packs have been funded through Sainsbury's Active Kids programme. Meanwhile, more than one million trees have been planted by Sainsbury's farmers, with the Woodland Trust providing support and advice.
Credit: Ben Lee / WTML
Sainsbury's was the lead partner on both our First World War Centenary Woods and Jubilee Woods projects, donating over £4.75 million and £1.5 million respectively. In 2018, it supported the Queen's Commonwealth Canopy project, planting more than 50,000 trees across the UK.
In 2019, we celebrated Sainsbury’s 150th birthday and 15 years of partnership by planting a tree for every Sainsbury’s colleague. We also created 150 woods across the UK through our MOREwoods scheme, which helps landowners to plant trees. Watch the video below to see the 150th MOREwood being planted:
Trees are clever things and act as a lightning rod for the communication of some really complex environmental challenges. Being surrounded by beautiful ancient woodland is one of life’s great pleasures and it’s a privilege to play a small part in protecting and growing our woodlands for future generations.
Call us on 0330 333 5306 or email partners@woodlandtrust.org.uk to learn more about partnering with the Woodland Trust.
