US produce marketing giant Dole Food Company hosted a sustainability summit in Costa Rica last weekend to demonstrate the firm's commitment to the environment.
Over 30 academics, researchers, NGO members, opinion leaders and Costa Rican officials attended the three-day event on 11-13 June, during which Doledemonstrated its latest innovations and research efforts in water management, soil conservation, carbon footprint reduction and waste handling.
Participants were given full access to several Dole facilities, including its El Muelle Pineapple Plantation, Rio Frio Banana Farm, its New Millennium Packing Plant, a Fundecor reforestation and conservation project, and the Dole Chile Container Vessel at the Port of Moin, the California-based firm said in a press release.
'This past weekend was an excellent opportunity for Dole to share its latest developments in sustainability and engage through an open dialogue with our guests about the 'Four Pillars of Sustainability'', said Sylvain Cuperlier, Dole's vice president of worldwide corporate responsibility and sustainability.
Tobias Bandel, managing partner from international composting firm Soil & More, added: 'One of the most impressive elements of this trip has been the trust Dole has built through transparency. This weekend, Dole has opened up their facilities for stakeholders with differing opinions. They provided honest answers and indicated a sincere desire to continue their commitment to sustainable agriculture.'
Dole, with 2010 net revenues of US$6.9bn, is the world's largest producer and marketer of fresh fruit and vegetables, and is a leading producer of organic bananas and pineapples.
