Divisions of Dole Asia will aim to increase sustainable nutrition, decrease food waste, plastics in packaging and carbon emissions as part of the newly announced commitment ‘The Dole Promise’.
Dole Packaged Foods and Dole Asia Fresh announced their participation in the initiative on 30 June, which includes the following targets:
-Access to sustainable nutrition for 1 billion people by 2025
-Moving towards zero processed sugar in all Dole products by 2025
-Moving towards zero fruit loss from Dole farms to markets by 2025
-Moving towards zero fossil-based plastic packaging by 2025
-Aiming for net zero carbon emissions in Dole operations by 2030
Pier Luigi Sigismondi, president of Dole Packaged Foods, said the company could not afford to continue without addressing these issues.
“The Dole Promise reflects the recognition that 'business as usual' is unacceptable in the face of a looming food crisis and the growing expectations of the next generation,' Sigismondi said.
“The impacts of the COVID-19 global pandemic could see 265m additional people pushed to the brink of starvation by the end of this year, double the numbers of last year,” he added.
“At the same time, the challenges of climate change, resource waste and declining natural resources still must be addressed. We believe it is time for a change, and we are taking action where we can be most effective – within our own business.”
The promise also includes commitments to grow value for Dole’s stakeholders, including farmers, communities and employees, though equal opportunity, living wages, and an ever-increasing level of safety, nutrition, and wellbeing.
“Our promise is not just about improving our world today,” said Sigismondi. 'We have a responsibility to future generations to work towards a more equitable and sustainable future.”
To achieve the objectives set out in The Dole Promise, Dole is partnering with Solidaridad, Forum for the Future, Future Food Institute and Rocana.
Later this year Dole will also launch the annual, US$2m, Sunshine for All investment fund, which is set to work with innovators, start-ups and progressive partners to help deliver on the Dole Promise.
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