Dutch fresh produce company Levarht has committed to sourcing sustainably all of the fruit and vegetables it sells by 2020, having recently signed up to the Sustainability Initiative Fruits and Vegetables (SIFAV) covenant at its headquarters in De Kwakel.
The company, which trades in products from its own greenhouses as well as from other suppliers all over the world, said the commitment was part of ensuring it went beyond its traditional role as a distributor, importer or exporter.
“Today’s consumers are demanding,” the company commented. “They only want the highest quality of fresh produce, every day and all year long. And they want to know its origin. How it’s grown and who the grower is. High expectations from consumers, buyers and - as a result – suppliers, Levarht strives to meet those expectations.
Those signing up to the covenant are committed to making 30 per cent of their total import volume sustainable by January 2014, 50 per cent by January 2015 and finally 100 per cent by the beginning of 2020.
Kebba Colley, senior programme manager for fruits and vegetables at programme co-ordinator IDH, The Sustainable Trade Initiative, welcomed Levahrt’s commitment.
“It is a great asset to the covenant that Levarht, a company that works throughout the whole fruit and vegetable supply chain, joined,” she said.
“The covenant is becoming more diverse and international, and its members really set the trend towards producing sustainably across the value chain. I’m positive this trend will catch on and more companies will follow.”
Large retail companies including Lidl, Albert Heijn and Jumbo Supermarkets, as well asproducers and traders such as The Greenery, have already promised to meet the 100 per cent sustainability target, which is backed by ICCO, Solidaridad, and Frugi Venta.
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