Pineapples
SCS Global Services completes third-party audit of Fresh Del Monte’s plantations in Costa Rica and Guatemala
Worldwide certification body SCS Global Services (SCS) has announced that Del Monte Fresh Produce has received Sustainably Grown certification for all of its banana plantations in Costa Rica and Guatemala, as well as its pineapple farms in Costa Rica.
Receiving Sustainably Grown certification for these operations marks the culmination of a multi-year effort by Del Monte to improve and verify its sustainable farming practices in Central America through third-party assessment.
As a result, certified Del Monte pineapples and bananas will now feature the SCS Kingfisher Sustainably Grown certification mark in stores.
First introduced in 2003, the SCS Sustainably Grown certification programme is one of the world’s most strict standards for sustainable agriculture. The standard includes yearly auditing for compliance and emphasises continuous improvement, requiring certified farms to build on their sustainable practices over time.
“Sustainably Grown recognises agricultural operations that are on the cutting edge of sustainable farming,” said Dr Stanley Rhodes, founder and CEO of SCS Global Services. “Del Monte has proven that they are serious about growing bananas and pineapples in ways that minimise environmental impact while ensuring the health and safety of its workers and their communities.”
Del Monte farms receiving Sustainably Grown certification are audited to a rigorous set of environmental, social and quality criteria including, sustainable crop production, ecosystem management and protection, resource conservation and energy efficiency and integrated waste management.
Other factors taken into account include fair labour practices, community benefits, product quality, and product safety and purity.
“Del Monte Fresh is committed to embracing sustainable agriculture and making environmental conservation and fair labor practices a major part of our banana and pineapple supply chain,” said Hans Sauter, vice-president corporate research & development and agricultural services for Del Monte. “Achieving Sustainably Grown certification assures our customers that they are receiving produce that is grown in a responsible way.”
Certified Del Monte bananas and pineapples featuring the Sustainably Grown Kingfisher certification mark will begin appearing on store shelves in Europe and the United States in 2015.
Morrisons unveils second round of ‘permanent’ price cuts of up to 41% across 135 products
Pineapples and tinned tomatoes are among the latest round of price cuts by Morrisons as the retailer tackles ongoing price pressure from discounters.
Giant pineapples have been reduced from £2 to £1.25 for one, while a 400g tine of Don Mario tomatoes is reduced to 69p.
“This is another major price reduction programme,” said Morrisons CEO Dalton Philips. “These are permanent price cuts, not promotions, and they won’t be the last.”
The second round of price cuts will see products slashed by up to 41%, with an average reduction of 14%. Cuts will be predominantly in grocery and household items and include a mixture of brands and own-brand.
The news comes as the beleaguered retailer announced it would be axing up to 2,600 jobs as part of a change to its management structure.
Philips told BBC News: “This is the right time to modernise the way our stores are managed.
“These changes will improve our focus on customers and lead to simpler, smarter ways of working.”
Meanwhile rival Sainsbury’s appears to be taking the ‘if you can’t beat them join them’ approach by relaunching Netto in the UK. CEO designate Mike Coupe said: “”This joint venture provides a great opportunity for us to gain exposure to the high growth discount market for the first time in partnership with Dansk Supermarked.”