Sustainability
News and analysis for the international fresh produce business on the theme of sustainability. What is the fruit and vegetable industry doing to protect people, planet, and profit?
NFU urges government to increase UK agriculture budget
NFU president Tom Bradshaw calls for multi-annual budget of £5.6 billion to help sector invest in sustainable production and boost food security
Study reveals ‘prune effect’ on bone health
Eating prunes daily may reduce negative bone effects of oral contraceptives in younger women
Thermo King rolls out battery alternative to diesel
New device offers potential way to reduce direct emissions caused by refrigerated vehicles and containers, says compay
The Greenery embarks on three-year digital transformation
Dutch produce business opts for Rootstock and Salesforce as it looks to build more streamlined planning and sales structure
Zespri considers low-emission shipping corridor between NZ and Belgium
The New Zealand-based kiwifruit company has launched a pilot sustainability project with shipping firm ANL, part of CMA CGM
New commercial food waste laws to come into force in March 2025
Companies that produce more than 5kg of food waste per week will be have to store wasted food in separate bins and arrange for its collection by licensed waste carriers
HSBC offers discounted loan fees to back farm sustainability
Sustainable Farming Pathway aims to make access to finance more affordable
Fairtrade Foundation launches new UK campaign
As Fairtrade Fortnight begins, the Foundation’s ’Be the Change’ initiative highlights how consumer power can support farmers overseas to build stronger, more resilient communities
The Felix Project launches new platform for small, one-off food donations
Felix Connect service directly links food donors to community organisations across London, allowing “ad hoc or quirky donations” to be accepted too
Nine in 10 plug plant producers to go peat-free within five years, RHS survey finds
Royal Horticultural Society will support horticultural sector’s transition to peat-free growing media through a new PhD
Wooden packaging industry presents Ecowoox
Fedemco has championed the certification, which is related to the eco-design and recyclability of wooden packaging
Many UK growers ‘intend to walk away from SMETA’, BGA survey reveals
Almost half of respondents say they will either leave the ethical audit or sign up to an alternative if forced to pay travel and visa costs of seasonal workers
‘Positive response’ from Defra on implementing Precision Breeding Act
Open letter signed by science and agri-food leaders urged new government to act quickly to make gene editing possible in England
New report argues for ‘all-encompassing’ national food security strategy
Research from think tank Policy Exchange says government plan covering whole food ecosystem is essential
Lidl to push fresh fruit as UEFA Europa League and Conference League sponsor
Partnership will see discounter encourage fruit consumption, conscious nutrition and an active lifestyle
Fairtrade launches Living Income Reference Price tool
Tool makes it easier for companies to find out what prices they need to pay to enable living incomes and living wages
Apeel enhances South American presence
Group increases its presence in Brazil, Peru, and Chile with the appointment of two fresh produce industry veterans
LSA Charitable Trust launches scheme to cultivate future industry leaders
New initiative is searching for participants on a professional management pathway in commercial UK horticulture
Gander signs up to Wrap’s Courtauld Commitment 2030
Food waste reduction app signs Courtauld Commitment 2030 to have “bigger impact, faster” on sustainability of UK food sector
Veg power partners with Sakata and Barfoots on butternut squash campaign
#BetterwithButternut initiative aims to raise awareness of vegetable’s versatility and simplicity to encourage more families to add it to their regular food shop
Earth & Wheat partners with eco-friendly cleaning brand for Zero Waste Week
Wonky bread and veg boxes will include a free Eco Sponge Scourer to help promote The Seep Company and its mission to tackle plastic waste
Potato biopesticide granted temporary approval in Greece
New product called Cedroz from Eden Reseach will be used to protect crops from worsening impact of wireworms
New group aims to unlock potential of UK greenhouse sector
Greenhouse Innovation Consortium formed to accelerate innovation and foster collaboration and knowledge sharing in a bid to boost UK food security
Floods damage Vietnam’s dragon fruit production
Binh Thuan province the latest affected in a series of extreme weather events in Vietnam this year
FAO warns of grave state of Gaza food production
With over half of cropland destroyed by the ongoing conflict with Israel, as well as a third of its greenhouses, Gaza faces massive food insecurity, according to the FAO
Fresh produce packaging shines at PIDA Awards
Costa Group, The Packaging Hippie and Red Gem recognised at Australasian Packaging Innovation & Design Awards
Majority of Brits support tax for firms producing ultra-processed foods
Over half want to see some of the revenue directed towards funding fresh fruits and vegetables for low-income families
New Gala clones from CIV stand out for early colouration
Italian breeder’s new varieties are said to develop colouring earlier than other Gala clones
Ifco launches Rewe documentary
Short film highlights how RPC specialist Ifco is helping to transform the fresh grocery supply chain for the retailer
Farmers to receive free expert advice on nature-friendly practices
The Future Farm Resilience programme aims to provide business planning advice to assist UK farmers
Fresh Inset boosting freshness and quality with Vidre+
With dose rate flexibility and gradual release technology, Fresh Inset’s Vidre+ takes prolonging freshness to the next level, with the US market now lying in wait
GlobalGAP publishes 2023 annual report
Report highlights global progress in responsible farming practices
Zespri on track to deliver strong returns
Sales momentum carries over from strong start to season, putting kiwifruit marketer on course to deliver increased per-hectare returns across all categories
Wildfire was ‘sad moment’ for Greek veg production
One organic farm is understood to have been completely destroyed as a result of the enormous fire which spread across East Attica last week
Worldwide Fruit sets out climate action targets in sustainability report
Fruit supplier aims to reduce carbon emissions with a range of initiatives from water to packaging