Netherlands: Publication of The Greenery’s Sustainability Report

This year, The Greenery has once again published its annual Sustainability Report. 2011 was a year of many positive results in the field of sustainability – examples include The Greenery being presented with a Lean & Green award, new growers receiving the Nature Counts designation, the continued development of the Fresh Harvest website and The Greenery’s work with international crop protection manufacturers as part of various Food Chain Partnership projects.

"Sustainability has become an indispensable part of the sector, and will continue to play an increasingly important role in the future. The Greenery is responding to this development with a range of initiatives in the field of sustainability," says general manager of The Greenery Philip Smits. 'Healthy is More' is the motto that forms the basis of The Greenery’s sustainability policy.

Focus areas of the policy include 'Healthy Cultivation,' 'Healthy Innovation,' 'Healthy
Communication' and 'Healthy Business Operations,' of which 'Healthy Employees' also forms an important part.

Prime examples of 'Healthy Communication' are evident in the School Fruit programme and the continued development of the Fresh Harvest website (Verse Oogst). 'Healthy Cultivation' initiatives included awarding eleven new growers the Nature Counts designation in 2011. With 'Healthy Innovations' (such as the development of mini seedless bell peppers and the expansion of the Fred&Ed range), the Greenery searches for ways to encourage consumers to make healthy choices. As part of its 'Healthy Business Operations' focus, The Greenery encourages its staff to
undergo personal and professional development through programmes such as GreenTalent (a trainee programme for staff with higher-education qualifications) and GreenFuture (a work-study programme for students in senior secondary vocational education (MBO)).

Transparency Benchmark
As part of the Transparency Benchmark 2011, The Greenery came in equal seventh in the Food & Drink sector category. As the only fresh fruit and vegetable organisation, The Greenery is in good company with FrieslandCampina, Heineken, Nutreco and Unilever. The company’s goal is to maintain this position among the Transparency Benchmark top ten.

Outlook
As a response to the sustainability issues that will be important in ten years time, The Greenery will be reviewing its sustainability policy in 2012 by producing a plan for 2020. This plan will include the targets that the organisation wishes to reach over the years to come, with a view to long-term success. Philip Smits said, "We have decided to set up channels of communication with various organisations in order to maintain a clear idea of relevant sustainability issues and developments, and to pave the way for a pro-active response."

The Greenery’s Sustainability Report can be viewed online by clicking here.

For more information please visit www.thegreenery.com