According to theguardian.com, Lidl is following in the footsteps of Asda by taking steps to buy all its bananas from 100% sustainable sources this year. It is switching by the end of 2016 to taking supplies only from farms that are either Rainforest Alliance – or Fairtrade Foundation certified.
Last year, sales of Fairtrade goods fell for the first time since the ethical trading scheme was founded 20 years ago as cash-strapped consumers tightened their belts, spending more at discount retailers such as Lidl and Aldi. Both stores have to date sold a limited range of Fairtrade products, but are under pressure to give the public wider choice.
In November, Asda became the first UK supermarket to make a public commitment to sourcing Rainforest Alliance-certified bananas – for 93% of its supply – with the rest from Fairtrade.
Jon Covey, head of fresh produce buying at Lidl UK, said: “It is central to Lidl UK’s corporate social responsibility policies that the business always acts in an environmentally friendly and socially conscious way. This move is yet another milestone in Lidl UK’s ambition to provide its customers with sustainably sourced produce. We are extremely pleased to make this commitment to sourcing our bananas.”
It has been working with its supply partners with the aim of switching the majority of the retailer’s banana supply over to Rainforest Alliance- certified farms (88%) by the end of the year, with the remaining bananas coming from Fairtrade Foundation farms (12%).
Source: theguardian.com
