草榴社区, local foodmakers and other small businesses will receive early payments from the supermarket to help mitigate the potential impact of coronavirus.
The faster payments will support the company's 1,750 farmer suppliers in dealing with cash flow problems caused by the coronavirus, such as manufacturing disruptions and staff shortages as a result of sickness.
Morrisons have also reclassified smaller 'goods for resale' suppliers as those with a Morrisons turnover of 拢1 million or less per annum,听meaning an extra 1,000 small food businesses will qualify for the new immediate payment.
Chief executive of Morrisons, David Potts, said: "We are Britain's biggest single foodmaker and we want to be there for the smaller foodmakers, farmers and businesses that supply Morrisons.
"We're a British family business and we will be doing our best to support them through this challenging period."
Environment Secretary, George Eustice, welcomed the measures to support farmers and food producers in their 鈥榲ital work of feeding the nation.'
He said: "We already have a highly-resilient food supply chain in this country and I am continuing to work closely with Morrisons and other retailers on their response to coronavirus.
"The Government has pledged 拢30 billion in this year's Budget for those affected and we have been clear that we will do whatever it takes to support people and businesses."
Morrisons will write to suppliers to inform them of the changes and plan to start processing payments this week.
Payments are expected to last until the end of May before the situation is reviewed.
