Fresh Del Monte Produce has today (17 August) released its 2020 Sustainability Report, which it has said 'solidifies the company’s leadership position in defining what sustainable production means at scale for large producers'.
The company said that it was 'taking a bold step' in expanding its sustainability efforts beyond just its operations. This was as a way to do its part in reducing – what a new report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) calls – the “widespread, rapid, and intensifying” effects of climate change.
The report covers the company’s commitment to ongoing environmental protection, providing healthy choices for consumers, and empowering the health and well-being of its team members and communities.
It also includes a list of its ambitious 2030 goals toward creating 'A Brighter World Tomorrow'.
“We are very proud of the steps we’ve taken, and are taking to create a more sustainable, equitable, and resilient food system,” said Hans Sauter, chief sustainability officer and senior vice president of R&D at Fresh Del Monte.
“However, what brings me the most joy is that our programmes are truly born out of passion, starting at the ground level, literally and figuratively, with every team member taking an active role in advancing our efforts,' Sauter continued. 'Without our team members, we wouldn’t stand a chance. This Sustainability Report is the mosaic of all the contributions our team members around the globe are living every single day.”
Del Monte said it had already surpassed two of its 2025 sustainability goals around environmental protection and team member well-being, and said it was continuing to make steady progress toward the other goals.
This year, the company has set even more ambitious goals for 2030, such as implementing regenerative and soil health management practices in 100 per cent of owned and associate grower’s farms, reducing food loss and organic waste sent to landfill by 50 per cent, and reducing virgin plastic usage by 25 per cent on purchased consumer packaging compared with its 2020 baseline.
Click here for the full sustainability report
