Sustainable sourcing Delivering sustainable ingredients is not just a job for food technologists. Procurement specialists also have a role to play. Over the last decade, many ingredients firms have developed innovative sourcing strategies that are geared towards securing long-term supply of essential inputs, of high quality and at stable prices, via transparent supply chains. Often this means 'vertical integration' or working directly with producers or cooperatives (sometimes in partnership with trusted local operators or non-governmental organisations), and ensuring producers are fairly paid. But beyond remuneration, they also help ensure producers have the technical expertise and/or equipment to maximise yields, while adhering to sustainable agricultural practices.
For many companies, sustainable sourcing comes with a side order of investment in the wider community, via initiatives to improve social wellbeing, health, education, or infrastructure. In helping ensure farmers' families and communities thrive, they reduce the likelihood of farmers ending their activity and seeking better conditions elsewhere.
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