Oct 18, 2019

Fresh Del Monte Produce presents sustainability report for 2019 

Coral Gables, Florida-based Fresh Del Monte Produce released Oct. 18 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 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 by 20% (net 12% reduction-per-ton of product)
• Since 2013, Fresh Del Monte Produce’s banana operations in Costa Rica (BANDECO division) have been certified as carbon neutral.
• Since fall 2019, Fresh Del Monte Produce’s pineapple operations in Costa Rica (PINDECO 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.
• Fresh Del Monte Produce has achieved a 12 percent decrease in energy per ton of product, 21 percent decrease in water per ton of product, exceeding its own 2014 goals.
• In three years, Fresh Del Monte has planted over 700,000 trees in its communities, working toward a goal of 2.5 million by 2025.
• Fresh Del Monte has supported 150 local programs aimed at creating measurable and lasting environment change by 2025, and has provided educational opportunities to some 6,200 students since 2017.
• Along with the above achievements, the 2019 CSR report outlines, Fresh Del Monte Produce 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. You can read the entire report here.
• 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 by this opportunity to work toward a Better World Tomorrow, and for many generations to come.”

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  

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.