Exporter achieves second highest possible CSR certification
“Joining the community of only 13 organizations which are certified at Level 4 is another important step in the evolution of Cool Fresh International and its subsidiaries. Currently we are the only fresh produce organization with a formal CSR certification, and as we move forward in our mission to provide safe and honest fruit and vegetables of top quality to our international clients base, achieving Level 4 distinguishes us even more amongst our peers in the fresh produce industry” says Hugo Vermeulen, managing director.
Over the last two year the company has moved into new headquarters in Ridderkerk, the Netherlands, substantially grown its market share of the pineapple business by creating a full category with diversified products, and introduced the BonJus line of new products. Level 4 Certification is the latest step in the growth of their business.
“We are incredibly proud to join a select business community that shares our values, that emphasizes the importance of social and environmental responsibility in every decision, and that recognizes the difference between good marketing and a company truly doing good. We are excited to be associated with organizations working to make a difference in the world, and we hope that our Level 4 Certification demonstrates to suppliers and clients that our products and the way we run our business are a great match for the values within those markets where CSR has become an integral part of the business world” commented Vermeulen.
In addition to an extensive CSR program aimed at the internal workings of the company (including staff wellbeing and environmental issues), Cool Fresh International also has an extensive externally-focused program in cooperation with its non-profit partner organization, the Stars in their Eyes Foundation, through which it is currently working with community organizations in South Africa, Namibia and Costa Rica.
In South Africa the company has trained nearly 800 community leaders in ways in which social harmony and social cohesion can be achieved from within the community itself. Cool Fresh International is also involved in the Little Libraries project, which provides reading books to pre-school children in disadvantaged communities. In Namibia, the company has a partnership with the Namibian government, and manages a world-class farm in arid desert conditions, providing employment for a large number of local people. Together with its pineapple partner in Costa Rica – Tropicalles del Valle – Cool Fresh International supports local schools with materials that benefit the learning processes of primary school children. Hugo Vermeulen says that the Cool Fresh Group would very much like to see more retail businesses align their values with their fresh produce purchasing, as with this daily commodity there is potential to do tremendous good in the world.
For more information:
Hugo Vermeulen
Tel:+ 31 88 3 777 111
hugo@coolfresh.nl