Fresh Del Monte Produce Sets New Standards in Sustainability With 2022 Report; Hans Sauter Comments
MIAMI, FL - The only way to move forward is to reflect back on the past. Fresh Del Monte Produce is doing just this with its 2022 Sustainability Report. The report reaffirms its commitment to conserving the planet, reducing its emissions and food waste, adopting regenerative agriculture and smart farming practices, and more.
“As a global agribusiness, sustainability is ingrained in our identity and we recognize the urgency of action needed to continue fortifying our operations against the changing climate,” said Hans Sauter, Chief Sustainability Officer, Senior Vice President, R&D and Agricultural Services. “Our unwavering commitment propels us to continually reduce greenhouse gas emissions, minimize water usage, combat food waste, and curtail plastic consumption, among other critical endeavors that have a direct impact on our planet.”
The launch of Del Monte Zero™ Pineapple offsets carbon emissions from farm to market as certified by SCS Global Services. After a comprehensive assessment of Fresh Del Monte’s Costa Rica pineapple production through shipment and sale to the North American and European markets, SCS Global Services determined that the pineapples’ greenhouse gas emissions have been negated by the reabsorption of Fresh Del Monte-owned forests.
Fresh Del Monte's dedication to customer satisfaction and sustainability was further underscored with the debut of the mini Honeyglow® pineapple last year. According to a press release, the product was developed based on consumer preferences for conveniently sized pineapples and aligns with the company's goals to reduce waste and meet customer needs.
Fresh Del Monte also diverted 93 percent of food waste from landfills in 2022. The company became one of the first growers to join the Pacific Coast Food Waste Commitment in 2022 and pledged to reduce food waste across its operations to serve as a model for other suppliers and growers.
The company also achieved a 26 percent decrease in its Scope 1 and 2 emissions, largely attributed to optimizing fertilizer usage, fuel consumption, and facility heating adjustments. This progress puts Fresh Del Monte at an impressive 94 percent completion rate toward its goal.
The report can be found here, and the press release is available here.
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