Eosta, one of Europe’s leading importers of organic fresh produce and a prominent campaigner for fairer practices in global agriculture, is calling on fruit and vegetable growers, importers and marketers worldwide to take up the challenge of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals to ensure the long-term survival of the sector.
On the eve of Fruit Logistica 2018, the world’s largest exhibition for the fresh produce industry, which takes place in Berlin on 7-9 February, the Dutch organic specialist has made a call to arms to the sector to radically change direction and focus more on people and planet.
Eosta, which markets organic fruit and vegetables under the Nature & More brand, plans to make the appeal the focus of its presence at the show, where it will argue that producers, importers and retailers must move away from the ‘race to the bottom’ and look instead to preserving the planet and securing a sustainable future for the sector.
The company’s sustainability & communications manager, Michaël Wilde, commented: “We are saying to the whole of the fresh produce sector: isn’t it time to broaden our horizon and grow food in harmony with nature to help achieve these important goals instead of just focusing on producing at the lowest possible cost?
“This is a call to arms to producers, importers and marketers to take up the challenge of the Sustainable Development Goals and take steps to reduce agrochemical usage. It is high time we start implementing sustainable farming practices focusing on soil, biodiversity water and climate in order to safeguard the food supply for future generations. Doing nothing endangers these vital resources that are essential for the production of fruits, vegetables and other foods.”
Positive impact
Adopted by member countries in 2015, the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals are aimed at ending poverty, protecting the planet and ensuring prosperity for all as part of the organisation’s sustainable development agenda, with each goal comprising targets to be achieved over a 15-year period.
Goal 12 – to ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns – is of particular relevance to the global fresh produce sector. However, as Wilde explains, around ten other Sustainable Development Goals would be impacted positively if the sector began farming more responsibly.
The goals will be highlighted prominently as part of Eosta’s presence at Fruit Logistica 2018 and Biofach, appearing on giant dice which will also emphasise the connection to the company’s own Sustainability Flower, an initiative launched by Eosta in 2010.
The Nature & More Sustainability Flower is an integrated sustainability model used to evaluate and communicate the sustainability impacts of growers. The seven flower petals focus on ecological and social aspects, namely water, soil, climate, biodiversity, economy, society and individual impacts.
