South African citrus farm workers are set to benefit with the launch of what Waitrose claims is a groundbreaking new scheme.
The UK retailer has announced that customers buying South African citrus fruit at its stores will now be helping to enhance the lives of farm labourers.
To back its claims to be a socially responsible retailer, Waitrose is pledging to plough 20 per cent of its profits from the fruit back into the farms and has set up the Waitrose Foundation, with the aim of raising £250,000 this year.
It says the move will see no additional costs passed on to the consumer, with the funding coming from itself and the supply chain, including importer Poupart, export agents and the growers themselves.
Waitrose said it has had a long-term relationship with 18 farms in South Africa, all of which are committed to ethical trading.
The money will be used to establish school classrooms, health clinics and other projects to benefit labourers and local communities.
Gordon Fairbrother, Waitrose central buyer for fruit, said: “This is a long term commitment that will make a real difference to the lives of farm workers in South Africa. The skills, education and support offered will genuinely empower them and improve their lives.”
He said the scheme makes sense commercially as it will help ensure the long-term supply of high quality South African citrus fruit.
Waitrose said the scheme also fits into the South African government’s plans to see more land transferred to black ownership. It is keen to see this process carried out in a sustainable way.
The foundation will be administered by a board of trustees, including representatives of Waitrose and its other partners in the supply chain.
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