Agricultural banking specialist Rabobank has launched a new global food sustainability programme called ‘Kickstart Food’, which aims to accelerate the transition to a worldwide sustainable food supply.
According to the group, one of the first steps in the programme will be the launch of a U$1bn facility, in partnership with UN Environment, to initiate land restoration and forest protection initiatives.
'It marks the start of a three-year initiative to kick-start and scale up Rabobank’s support for clients and partners in the transition to a more sustainable food and agricultural sector,' the group explained in a statement.
The Kickstart Food initiative has four key focus areas, Earth, Waste, Stability and Nutrition, and the facility is part of the first focus area, Earth, which is centered on sustainable and environmentally sound food production.
The Waste programme will focus on reducing food waste throughout the food supply chain, the Stability programme aims to create a more stable and resilient food and agricultural sector, and the Nutrition programme will focus on ensuing a healthy and balanced diet for everyone.
“Our global lead role in financing food production urges us to accelerate developments on the sustainable food supply,' said chairman of the executive board Wiebe Draijer. 'With our knowledge, networks and financing capabilities we aim to further motivate and facilitate clients in adopting a more sustainable food production practice globally. We are proud of this major initiative with the UN Environment. We will engage others to expand the initiative. It fits very well with our mission of Growing a better world together.”
The joint effort with UN Environment is designed to be an open platform for others to join, and Rabobank has invited stakeholders from across the entire food and agricultural sector to join the Kickstart Food programme.
