Origin Green ’gold status’ recognises the efforts of members that have achieved “exceptional annual performance” on their sustainability targets

A recent event in Dublin saw Bord Bia, the Irish Food Board, award Origin Green ‘gold’ membership for 2022 to Dole Ireland. 

Dole Ireland sustainability team

Gold status recognises the efforts of Origin Green members that have achieved “exceptional annual performance” on their sustainability targets in areas such as raw material sourcing, water and energy efficiency, waste reduction, packaging and social sustainability.

The status is given based on the assessment of Bord Bia’s nominated independent verification authority.

Origin Green is the worlds’ only national food and drink sustainability programme, encouraging Irish businesses to set and achieve measurable sustainability targets that respect and protect the environment and enrich local communities.

According to Dole, the awarding of gold status was a testament to its ongoing commitment to transparency across its operations and the pursuit of best sustainable practices.

The commitment was evident in the wide variety of initiatives in place across Dole Ireland, focused on energy management, water conservation, biodiversity, community engagement and diversity and inclusion, the company stated.

“Entrusted to market the most nutritious of foods with the lowest environmental footprints, in Dole, sustainability, doing business the right way and responsibly managing resources and the environment in which we operate, lies at the heart of everything that we do,” said Des McCoy, managing director of Dole Ireland.

”The award of Origin Green gold status here in our home market is particularly gratifying, recognising as it does the dedication, effort and expertise our people and our local growing partners nationwide bring to our business each and every day,” he added.