CORAL GABLES, Fla.–Fresh Del Monte Produce released today its 2019 Sustainability Report. Committed to empowering the communities in which it operates, and determined on creating a lasting, positive impact on the environment, the CSR report identifies a series of goals that stand for the company’s values and help change the course of the planet for the better.
“Long before it was the norm, we put sustainability at the core of who we are as a company,” said Hans Sauter, Senior Vice President Corporate R&D, QA and Agricultural Services. Along with spearheading many of the initiatives whose results were outlined, Sauter’s team was responsible for compiling the report, which tells a story of an industry leader running point on the most crucial topic of our times: environmental sustainability.
“As an agricultural company—and as human beings—we depend on the health and wellbeing of our planet. It’s our top priority, and you see it manifest in our efforts to conserve land, protect and preserve ecosystems, implement sustainable farming practices, and supported community growth across the globe,” Sauter added.
Through the landmark publication of its 2019 CSR report, Fresh Del Monte Produce has reaffirmed its commitment to doing business in a more sustainable way. The company is focused on further reducing its emissions footprint, achieving carbon neutrality across more of its operations and partnering with other organizations to multiply its impact.
Some key takeaways from the report include:
- Fresh Del Monte Produce has exceeded its 10-year target for reduction of energy consumption per-ton of product by 20 percent.
- Since 2013, Fresh Del Monte Produce’s banana operations in Costa Rica (BANDECO division) have been certified as carbon neutral.
- Fresh Del Monte Produce has certified 100 percent of its processing facilities and distribution centers under internationally recognized food safety standards ahead of its 2020 goal.
- In three years, Fresh Del Monte Produce has planted over 700,000 trees in its communities, working toward a goal of 2.5 million by 2025.
- Since 2017 Fresh Del Monte Produce has provided educational opportunities to some 6,200 students. By 2025 it hopes to support 150 local programs.
Along with the above achievements, the 2019 CSR report outlines, Fresh Del Monte Produce’s considerable progress in traceability, packaging, pesticide use, infrastructure development, wellness programming, wastewater treatment and myriad other topics geared toward curbing the effects of climate change.
Summarizing the work detailed in the report, Sauter said: “Much work remains, globally and locally, and we have a lot left to learn. But we are excited for the future and the opportunity to work with others in building A Better World Tomorrow.”
For more information on Fresh Del Monte Produce and its commitment to building A Better World for Tomorrow, please visit: http://www.freshdelmonte.com/Sustainability
About Fresh Del Monte Produce
Fresh Del Monte is one of the world’s leading vertically integrated producers, marketers and distributors of high-quality fresh and fresh-cut fruit and vegetables, as well as a leading producer and distributor of prepared food in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Fresh Del Monte markets its products worldwide under the Del Monte® brand, a symbol of product innovation, quality, freshness and reliability for over 125 years. The Company also markets its products under the Mann’s® brand and other related trademarks. Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. is not affiliated with certain other Del Monte companies around the world, including Del Monte Foods, Inc., the U.S. subsidiary of Del Monte Pacific Limited, Del Monte Canada, or Del Monte Asia Pte. Ltd.
