Dutch importer and distributor HillFresh International has become the latest company to join the Sustainability Initiative Fruits and Vegetables (Sifav), a Dutch programme operated by the Sustainable Trade Initiative (IDH) that aims to make the country’s fresh produce imports from Africa, Asia and South America 100 per cent sustainable by 2020.
HillFresh, which markets a range of imported products including table grapes, melons, kiwifruit, persimmons and tomatoes, signed a special covenant at its headquarters in Barendrecht, near Rotterdam, in order to join the scheme.
Hans van den Heuvel, managing director of HillFresh International, said being fully sustainable was at the heart of the company’s business.
“What drives us are taste, added value, transparency, food safety and sustainable production,” he commented, noting that the company would continue to focus on transparent relations with its customers and suppliers, with the ultimate aim of supplying 100 per cent food-safe products that are fully certified to GlobalGAP or similar systems, good quality, healthy and tasty.
“Social sustainability has been on our agenda for many years. Joining the covenant makes our ambition in this field crystal clear,” he added.
Accelerated development
Johan van der Leer, manager of food safety and quality at HillFresh, stated that becoming part of IDH would make it possible to further accelerate the company’s efforts, as IDH can assist on sustainability challenges that go beyond the scope of individual companies.
As an example, he mentioned the support IDH gives to Siza, a project in South Africa designed to promote ethical labour practices at fruit farms and packhouses.
“By supporting Siza, IDH makes it easier to organise sustainable auditing in South Africa,” he suggested. “This is a great help and support to the South African suppliers, to us and all other importers.”
Kebba Colley, senior programme manager for fruits and vegetables at IDH, welcomed HillFresh International as a covenant partner.
“It’s great to have a major importer like HillFresh International on board that commits to the programme and aims to source 100 per cent sustainable by 2020.”
Several other members of the fresh produce trade have already signed up to Sifav, including large retail companies Albert Heijn, C1000, Jumbo, Lidl and SuperUnie, as well suppliers AgroFair, Bakker Barendrecht, Dole, Eosta, FairFields, Jaguar, Levahrt, Nature's Pride, Staay Food Group, The Greenery, Special Fruit and Van Oers United.
With the backing of Icco, Solidaridad and Frugi Venta, IDH’s programme compels large retailers and brands to have 100 per cent of their fruit produced in a sustainable manner by 2020.
