Sustainable Sourcing Supplement by FoodBev Media Ltd

2010 supplement Click here to subscribe

BEVERAGE innovation

Sustainable sourcing © beverage innovation 2010. Reproduced with the kind permission of FoodBev Media - www.foodbev.com For details about syndication and licensing please contact the marketing team on 01225 327890.

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July · August 2010

A fairer future W

hile much attention has been focused on sustainable packaging (a supplement on this subject was featured in our February issue) a new movement has been gathering pace. Companies are now looking at sustainable sourcing in a big way - with balanced eco-systems, ethical trading and caring for those who produce our beverage ingredients now a top priority. Fairtrade products, UTZ and Rainforest Alliance Certification, fruits, cola, cocoa, tea and coffee are all under the microscope. Reducing the impact on climate change and treating employees reasonably is all part of increasing concern for global economic stability and meets consumer and industry demand for a fairer world. Sustainable packaging and sustainable sourcing together are fast becoming part and parcel of an altogether fairer future.

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PepsiCo forging success hand in hand with responsibilities.

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Coca-Cola Hellenic sourcing energy sustainably through co-generation and solar panels.

Husky helping beverage manufacturers maintain and upgrade equipment through Encore.

Jon Marlow speaks of Cafédirect’s pioneering ethics.

Fairtrade tea leadies encourage Brits to ‘Swap One Thing’. US based Purity Organics from Pacific Produce putting farmers first.

Claire Phoenix beverage innovation Managing Editor

Tetra Pak spreading the good news with aseptic cartons carrying FSC labels. Divine fairtrade cocoa from Sierra Leone.

beverage innovation sustainable sourcing SUPPLEMENT

is published once a year by FoodBev Media Ltd Additional and pdf copies of the 2010 beverage innovation sustainable sourcing SUPPLEMENT can be purchased for further use. Contact Subscriptions Manager Sharon Bulled for information. Direct line: +44 (0)1225 327858 subscriptions@foodbev.com Every effort is made to verify all information published, but beverage innovation cannot accept responsibility for any errors or omissions or for any losses that may arise as a result. Printed in the UK by Holbrooks Printers Ltd on paper produced from elemental chlorine free pulp sourced from sustainable managed forests.

Thirsty for change - Mars Drinks sourcing sustainably. Elopak fully FSC certified in Europe.

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UTZ certified cocoa from Cote d’Ivoire. Frigoglass Ecocool a finalist in the European Business Awards for the Environment. Coca-Cola bringing hope to Haiti. Report: A global language for packaging and sustainability.

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www.foodbev.com/beverage Issue 77 - July · August 2010

Sustainable sourcing

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Success hand in hand with responsibilities

iona Page of PepsiCo Europe spoke on ‘Sustainable sourcing’ at the Zenith International Global Soft Drinks Congress held this March, in Istanbul. “There are many reasons to take responsible sourcing seriously. It is our firm belief that only companies addressing sustainability challenges can be successful. Industry must realise that further regulation and legislation is on its way. The US has to achieve 83% reduction in CO2 on 2005 levels by 2050, EU targets are: 20% reduction in CO2 and renewable fuel sources based on 1990 levels by 2020. China’s mitigation actions are -8.5% compared to BAU in 2020. “Products have to be more than just a combination of ingredients.

Source: Edelman Trust barometer 2009

“We are in an era of unprecedented change and need to operate and co-operate in new ways. We serve 880 million consumers in 38 countries and buy in potatoes, oranges, oats, corn, sugar and oils, as well as services including media, IT and travel. But it is now not ‘business as usual’ we are seeing changes in the macro environment and must be ready to act. There is competition for land and land use, with oil prices rising, political bargaining over water, unstable capital markets, worsening inequity population growth and collapsing eco-systems.

Your products are what your company does and how it behaves. Your reputation and your relationship with your consumers defines your DNA.” As Indra Nooyi said “We need to create a better tomorrow for future generations. For instance, treating employees fairly, ensuring a responsible supply chain, applying the same high standards globally, reducing impact on climate change, improving education skills and helping reduce the rich-poor gap are all important. “We need to embed this recognition of global challenges into our strategy and business processes and collaborate with our supplier base and external partners to explore and implement creative solutions. The most important thing is to look behind the product, at how and in what circumstances the products and services are made and delivered. We are in an age of total transparency and our reputation and success also rests on our supplier selection process.“ As Indra Nooyi underlines: “Financial success - Performance - must go hand in hand with our social and environmental responsibilities - Purpose.”

The successful company in 2030 will be the one that recognises the possible outcomes of the global crises we face, and one nimble and tenacious enough to embed this recognition in their strategy and business processes. Indra Nooyi, Chief Executive Officer, PepsiCo

Fairtrade flourishes

ales of Fairtrade certified products increased 15% in 2009, according to the global Fairtrade body, Fairtrade Labelling Organisations International (FLO). FLO said that sales of Fairtrade certified sugar and cocoa saw the biggest sales increases last year, as several major confectionery manufacturers made commitments to source fairly traded ingredients. These companies included Cadbury Dairy Milk, Nestlé’s Kit Kat, and Green & Black’s, as well as the ice cream maker Ben & Jerry’s. Fairtrade cocoa

sales were up 35% in 2009, while Fairtrade sugar sales grew by around 57%. FLO CEO Rob Cameron said: “As 2009 began in the midst of the worst recession in 70 years, we worried that Fairtrade producers could lose sales. Instead, consumers across the globe bucked the trend and proved their deep commitment to giving producers a fair deal.

Fairtrade sales grew in all countries.”

as the country emerges from the recession.

The organisation said that sales of Fairtrade herbs and spices also increased, and sales of coffee - the first certified fairtrade product - grew 12%. The total amount spent of Fairtrade products during 2009 reached an estimated €3.4 billion.

According to FLO, Fairtrade sales grew ‘exponentially’ in Eastern Europe, South Africa and many countries in the global south during 2009, and shoppers in the most established Fairtrade markets also increased their spending on Fairtrade products.

Although consumers are price sensitive, the recession has not suppressed consumers’ appetite. The research firm IGD, has said it expects British consumers to spend more on Fairtrade products

“The largest Fairtrade markets had strong growth: 14% in the UK and 7% in the US, with an estimated 1.2 million farmers and workers selling through the Fairtrade scheme.”

www.foodbev.com/beverage Issue 77 - July · August 2010

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Sustainable sourcing

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Co-generation and solar power - to meet the energy challenge

oca-Cola Hellenic has operations in 28 countries serving a population of approximately 560 million people. It offers a diverse range of ready to drink non-alcoholic beverages in the sparkling, juice, water, sport, energy, tea and coffee categories. It is committed to promoting sustainable development in order to create value for its business and for society. This includes, fostering an open and inclusive work environment, conducting business in ways that protect and preserve the environment and contributing to the socio-economic development of local communities. A Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plant in Romania was the first of 15 to be introduced in 12 countries resulting in a 20% reduction of CO2 emissions across 80 beverage production plants. The European Commission has described co-generation as a “proven tool” for contributing to Europe’s energy challenges. Not only does it see it as a solution for cutting emissions but it believes it will also reduce Europe’s dependence on imported energy, promote competitiveness and job creation and increase export opportunities. The Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plant, constructed in partnership with power development company

ContourGlobal, is installed at the Coca-Cola Hellenic bottling facility in the city of Ploiesti. It is the first of 15 plants that Coca-Cola Hellenic pledged to build in 12 countries, including eight EU Member States. “The opening of the CHP plant represents a milestone to ensure the sustainable development of our operations, and of the communities we serve,” said Mr Doros Constantinou, Chief Executive Officer of Coca-Cola Hellenic.

A CHP plant in Romania was the first of 15 to be introduced in 12 countries “Across all of our 28 territories we have been working to increase efficiencies and reduce CO2 emissions, the main culprit in climate change,” he said. Joseph Brandt, President and Chief Executive Officer

of ContourGlobal, stated, “Producing consumer products sustainably is one of the key challenges of our time. Through our partnership with Coca-Cola Hellenic, we have recombined existing technologies to create an innovative energy facility at Coca-Cola Hellenic’s bottling plant in Romania. Our CHP plant is highly energy efficient and substantially reduces CO2 emissions. We are proud that Coca-Cola Hellenic chose ContourGlobal to develop and operate these innovative facilities in Europe and Africa.” The development of the Ploiesti plant follows a pilot project in Hungary in 2006 which reduced CO2 emissions by 43%, well ahead of the 2020 deadline for emission reductions set by the European Union. The CHP plant supplies highly efficient, clean electricity as well as heat and cooling for the soft drink production facility. At the same time, clean electricity is delivered to the local grid, providing energy efficient power for the surrounding community in Ploiesti. Coca-Cola Hellenic and ContourGlobal opened three plants in 2009 with more following in 2010 and beyond. ContourGlobal develops and operates electric and

combined heat and power businesses around the world for governments and multinational companies. The Company consists of eleven businesses in operation and construction on four continents with approximately 1,000 MW of generating capacity and a new business totaling 10,000 MW. Reservoir Capital Group is a privately held investment firm with around $4 billion under management and is ContourGlobal’s controlling shareholder.

Solar power in Italy Coca-Cola Hellenic has launched an innovative renewable energy initiative by installing rooftop solar panels on all of its bottling plants in Italy. The company announced this new initiative at the inauguration of a combined heat and power (CHP) generation system at its Nogara production facility near Verona in Italy. These solar panels and CHP technology are also being introduced in partnership with ContourGlobal. The rooftop solar panels will have a total installed capacity of 10 megawatts (or 75 million kilowatt hours). With its CHP capacity, the Nogara plant has an efficiency rate of 83% and cuts CO2 emissions by 66%.

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www.foodbev.com/beverage Issue 77 - July · August 2010

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Husky: helping manufacturers inject life into older machines

aintaining existing equipment can be a challenge for manufacturers, yet it is vital to remaining competitive. While some equipment suppliers are still taking a reactive approach to machine maintenance and parts obsolescence, some industry leaders are offering structured, proactive programmes to help customers get the most value out of their assets. A prime example is the Encore programme offered by Husky Injection Molding Systems. One of Italy’s leading bottled water companies recently implemented Husky’s Encore programme and has significantly reduced energy consumption and increased production capacity.

Encore improves competitive advantage An equipment modernisation strategy, including implementing appropriate refurbishment, upgrades, as well as replacement of older existing equipment, is key to maximising profitability. The goal for manufacturers is to produce parts at minimum cost while maintaining part quality, functionality and reliability. While the right plan of action varies for each specific manufacturer and operation, working with an experienced total solutions supplier who is familiar with the latest technologies helps to determine the best strategy and ensure a competitive advantage. Husky’s Encore programme is designed to help injection molders maximise the life of existing Husky systems.

Encore consists of structured new technology upgrade solutions to address spare parts obsolescence and increase system performance. The Encore programme is broken down into two distinct series. The Maintenance Series is ideal for manufacturers who are satisfied with existing equipment productivity, but want to address potential downtime and machine reliability issues due to parts obsolescence. The Performance Series includes all Maintenance Series features and is designed to significantly increase productivity and equipment energy efficiency, maximising systems to like-new, or better-than-new performance.

San Pellegrino Acqua Vera - Encore in action Part of the Nestlé Waters group, San Pellegrino Acqua Vera is one of Italy’s leading bottled water companies. Like many manufacturers in the beverage packaging industry, San Pellegrino Acqua Vera is interested in maximising the life cycle of its injection molding equipment. San Pellegrino Acqua Vera has a long and established relationship

The San Pellegrino Acqua Vera team, from left to right: Giorgio Cagnin, Preforms Production Manager, Nicola Dal Corso, Maintenance Manager, Luca Maionchi, Investment and Maintenance Manager

System before (left) and after (right). Complete new electrical cabinet with Polaris controls and HMI. (Included but not shown are latest technology hydraulic and robot motion components) with Husky. The manufacturer has several Husky PET preform systems running, ranging from one to almost 20 years old. For nearly a decade, Husky’s Services team has regularly been assisting this manufacturer with machine maintenance, performing yearly inspection audits and building a system maintenance database. But as the systems have aged, San Pellegrino Acqua Vera wants to take a more proactive approach to maintain optimal operational effectiveness. “About two years ago, we started experiencing increasing challenges with obsolete parts, so when Husky suggested the Encore programme it was a natural evolution for us,” said Luca Maionchi, Investment and Maintenance Manager for San Pellegrino Acqua Vera. The Husky Services team began by assessing one of the oldest systems in San Pellegrino Acqua Vera’s facility, a 17-year old Husky PET preform system. The recommendation was the implementation of the Encore Performance Series programme, which included an audit, refurbishment, and fine-tuning to ensure the system was running to optimal capacity. Husky also optimised the system’s mold in terms of throughput, as well as tested three preform molds for different applications to ensure optimised cycle times for each. “This installation allowed us to reduce energy consumption

by almost 19% and increase production capacity on a number of products by at least 12%,” said Massimo Angelini, Plant Manager from San Pellegrino Acqua Vera. With the implementation of a customised solution, this system is now running to like-new standards for both productivity and efficiency. “Working with Husky made it very easy for us to meet our production needs. We were able to achieve better than expected results by upgrading our existing machine with the Encore Performance Series,” said Giorgio Cagnin, Preforms Production Manager from San Pellegrino Acqua Vera. “Our system was modernised onsite and started up on time and is now running flawlessly. The success we’ve had with our initial system has made us think about implementing Encore on additional systems,” concluded Nicola Dal Corso, Maintenance Manager for San Pellegrino Acqua Vera.

Value out of assets When deciding whether to refurbish, upgrade or replace existing systems, it is important to consider the parts that are being manufactured, the equipment that is being used, market conditions and business goals. For those manufacturers who want to get the most value out of their assets, implementing a structured proactive maintenance programme is a worthwhile investment.

www.foodbev.com/beverage Issue 77 - July · August 2010

SUPPLEMENT 5

Sustainable sourcing

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Pioneering ethics

afédirect is the UK’s first and largest 100% Fairtrade drinks brand and a successful and pioneering ethical business. Claire Phoenix spoke with Jon Marlow. “Cafédirect began in 1991 so we were Fairtrade before the Fairtrademark appeared in 1994. Our biggest endorsement is that we have been imitated by a number of other brands including private label. Fairtrade grew by 12% in the UK in 2009 with sales totalling £799 million.

Jon Marlow Providing an important link between the grower and consumer communities, the business works with over 40 grower organisations across 14 developing countries, encompassing over quarter of a million farmers and directly improving the lives of more than 1.6 million people around the world. In the past five years, the business has invested more than £3 million of its profits directly into the businesses and, in total, paid more than £10.5 million towards the businesses and communities of its grower partners. What is Cafédirect’s background and how are you doing in terms of global sales volume?

“So it is clear that the question of value and values is on consumer’s minds with lack of trust in bankers and government raising questions over trust in food manufacturers. Consumers are looking for brands they do trust with a clear ethical and sustainable position. “On a global basis, we are at the starting point rather than the finishing line. There is development in Fairtrade in Scandinavia and the Far East - in particular in Hong Kong, Singapore and Japan. We sell a lot of product for export as there is growing interest in provenance and traceability which is fanning the Fairtrade movement.” Packaging is becoming more sustainable on a global basis and many more products are now Fairtrade sourced. Do you have a vision of a whole beverage industry that is more ethically and environmentally aware or do you think this is pretty unlikely? “Greenwashing can be a problem with some companies claiming sustainable sourcing, yet with products containing only 30% sustainably sourced product. We can offer ultimate traceability as we know the grower organisations, and can offer a fantastic proposition for the marketplace. For instance 40% of our cocoa is of the prestigious San Cristobal cocoa bean.

As Joane Denney Finch of IGD said recently: “As we emerge from the downturn, consumers will indulge more in premium products and premium brands with provenance. Ingredients will come under the spotlight.” “The perception of the food industry is not great, however Cafédirect is doing well. We have won nine great taste awards in the past two years and carry out benchmarking, such as blind tasting with Leatherhead Foods. Recently, our speciality Earl Grey tea beat the market leader in blind tasting. We also did well with our Machu Pichu freeze dried coffee. “What about carbon footprint? I hear you saying. Well, we are constantly reassessing our supply chain and never airfreight. It is always shipped in economic quantities.” What for you has been the most exciting development for the company in the past year and what are you most looking forward to as the next step in your development? “In the last year we have undertaken AdapCC in which we help those involved in dealing with climate change. We ensure

growers have a fair deal and are growing sustainably. “Adaptation for Smallholders to Climate Change (AdapCC) is the first project of its kind to support smallholder tea and coffee farmers in developing homegrown adaptation strategies for coping with the effects of climate change. It’s a threeyear public-private partnership between Cafédirect, four of its grower partners and the German Technical Co-operation. While much of the world focuses on mitigating carbon emissions smallholder farmers are already seeing the effect of climate change, with livelihoods often depending on the harvest of a single cash crop. By helping them build polytunnels to avoid uncertain rainy seasons, it means they have a guaranteed crop and so do we. “As far as new product development and adding value go, we are currently offering free packets of herbs on pack - this ties in nicely with our ‘in global grow’ and smallholder growing proposition. “And the biggest step forward? By 2015 all of our packaging will be biodegradable.”

Martin Lines, Marketing Director, Nestlé Professional: “As sustainability and ethical trading remains a priority for both consumers and customers, it has never been more important to provide a good quality Fairtrade offering. Our Fairtrade coffee is one of our highest quality coffees. Nescafé Partners Blend is fully endorsed by the Fairtrade mark, helping farmers, their communities and the environment. Since its launch in 2005, sales of Nescafé Partners Blend have resulted in an extra $1 million income for the farm communities of our coffee producing countries.”

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www.foodbev.com/beverage Issue 77 - July · August 2010

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Purity Organic supporting fruit farmers

Brand Manager Sarah Clow explained: “Understanding that growing organic fruit for produce aisles leaves farmers with lots of unsold fruit, we created a beverage division to help maximise the return on the ‘fruit bin.’ The less cosmetically perfect organic

etra Pak will introduce aseptic cartons bearing the label of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) in China starting this July.

urity Organic is the brand created by Pacific Organic Produce. Operating for fifteen years, the company seeks to make healthier food available to Americans while contributing to organic family farms, the enrichment of soils, the protection of farm workers from harmful pesticides, and the support of ecosystems. Its mission is to create a higher return to the farmers, making sustainable agriculture a reality. Well supported farmers = superior produce = happy consumers = farm expansions and success.

Tetra Pak to introduce FSC labelled cartons in China

fruit typically ends up as juice, co-mingled with nonorganic juice as a result of the current limited channels for organic juice fruit. Therefore, the farmer only receives a conventional price for some superior organic fruit. “By creating a demand for and buying back organic juice, we can increase an orchard’s return for the farmer. We then work tirelessly to bring that juice to the market at a price competitive with conventional juices.”

The first Tetra Pak cartons with FSC labels in China will be available in three carton formats: Tetra Fino Aseptic, Tetra Prisma Aseptic and Tetra Brik Aseptic. It is expected that Tetra Pak cartons with FSC labels will reach two billion in 2010 in China alone, with a goal of reaching 14 billion FSC-labelled Tetra Pak packages sold in China in 2011. This represents another step in Tetra Pak’s ongoing commitment to support responsible forest management and drive environmental performance. On the raw material front, Tetra Pak works closely with its paperboard suppliers to ensure

that all supply comes from known and acceptable sources. Tetra Pak’s ultimate goal is to have all supply certified to the highest standard, currently set by FSC.

Fairtrade: Swap 1 thing

his year the Fairtrade Foundation called on tea-loving Brits to swap their favourite cuppa to Fairtrade, totting up these and other Fairtrade product swaps on a special online swap-o-meter at www.thebigswap.org.uk. 100 dancing tea ladies, a brigade of people made up of supporters, dancers, Fairtrade licensees, and a Fairtrade tea producer from India, made their way from London Bridge to Trafalgar Square, with a quick stop off at the Houses of Parliament via Number 10 Downing Street - now a Fairtrade resfreshment zone. The Fairtrade Foundation says people in the UK and Ireland can have a dramatic impact if they swap just one thing that they buy regularly to a Fairtrade brand. Fairtrade is already helping 750,000 farmers, workers and their families in the tea industry.

Fairtrade cocoa from Sierra Leone is Divine

ivine Chocolate, the only Fairtrade chocolate company co-owned by cocoa farmers, has announced that chocolate lovers can now taste Fairtrade cocoa from Sierra Leone in all its products. Sierra Leone was ravaged by a brutal and disruptive civil war for over ten years, which ended eight years ago. Rebuilding lives has been hard, and this first Fairtrade shipment of cocoa out of the country is a sign that the fortunes and prospects of the country’s farmers can be turned around.

www.foodbev.com/beverage Issue 77 - July · August 2010

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Mars Drinks – thirsty for change

s part of its continued commitment to sustainability, Mars Drinks is now sourcing coffee beans for three of its popular Flavia Creation 400 coffee machine fresh-ground coffee drinks from Rainforest Alliance Certified farms. Smooth Roast, Rich Roast and Columbia now carry the Rainforest Alliance Certified seal of approval, as 30% of the coffee contained in the drinks originates from sustainably managed Rainforest Alliance Certified farms. To earn this seal, farms must make improvements in the way they operate, including reducing pesticide use, improving water safety, ensuring workers have decent housing and access to clean water,

as well as education and medical care for themselves and their families. Wildlife and water, forests and soils must also be protected. This work with the Rainforest Alliance is the latest step in Mars Drinks’ ‘Thirsty for Change’ programme. It is designed to work with customers in order to help reduce collective environmental impacts with a specific focus on helping others. Founded in 1987, the Rainforest Alliance is an international environment organisation with more than 20 years of experience in sustainable forestry, agriculture, and tourism.

As a result of its efforts, thousands of farmers, foresters and tourism professionals around the world have the tools and techniques necessary to protect wildlife, and the rights and welfare of workers and their communities. Tensie Whelan, President of the Rainforest Alliance commented “The Rainforest Alliance welcomes Mars Drinks’ commitment to sustainability. By sourcing increasing amounts of coffee from Rainforest Alliance Certified farms they are supporting a programme that is making a real difference in coffee growing communities, as well as offering consumers a cup of coffee that doesn’t just taste good, it does good as well.” Mars Drinks Corporate Affairs and Sustainability Director

commented “Through our ‘Thirsty for Change’ programme we have made a meaningful commitment to help our customers, the environment and our partner suppliers, including the farmers who produce our drinks’ ingredients. One of our core business principles is ‘Responsibility’: sourcing coffee from Rainforest Alliance Certified farms is a tremendous achievement for Mars Drinks and reflects just how seriously we take doing business responsibly.”

Elopak FSC Certification in Europe

lopak’s main European operations are now fully Chain-ofCustody (CoC) certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and will provide approximately two billion FSC-labelled beverage cartons to European customers. Elopak finalised the certification according to the strictest standards of forestry certification in April. The FSC CoC-certification is an approved traceability system for raw materials from forest to filling. It supports Elopak’s commitment to the EU that by 2015, 100% of board supply shall be controlled and traceable, and that by 2018 all converting operations shall operate with full FSC certification. Elopak’s Chief Executive Office Niels Petter Wright said, “FSC compliance is a key part of our environmental strategy to ensure biodiversity through well managed forests. The FSC logo on our cartons is a visible

declaration that we do not have any part of the illegal logging trade within our value chain.” Elopak’s main operations in Europe, including its converting plants in Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands, are fully compliant in terms of their operational and procurement systems and will offer cartons that carry the assurance of the FSC logo to key customers. More than 25% of the group’s total global volumes will now be FSC-labelled as the certification process continues throughout Elopak’s other key European sites. This milestone is part of Elopak’s ongoing commitment to the environment as a member of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Climate Savers Programme. © beverage innovation 2010. Reproduced with the kind permission of FoodBev Media - www.foodbev.com For details about syndication and licensing please contact the marketing team on 01225 327890.

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www.foodbev.com/beverage Issue 77 - July · August 2010

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UTZ certified cocoa from Cote d’Ivoire

ince 2002, UTZ Certified has become a global standard for professional coffee growing and sourcing caring for local communities and the environment. UTZ Certified co-operatives, estate farms and producer groups comply with the UTZ Certified Code of Conduct and are annually inspected by independent third party auditors. In 2007 Cargill, Heinz Benelux, Ahold, UTZ Certified, Mars, Nestlé, Ecom, Solidaridad, WWF and Oxfam Novib founded the UTZ Certified cocoa programme for a sustainable cocoa chain in Côte d’Ivoire. UTZ Certification helps farmers become more professional and provides a guarantee to buyers and consumers alike that cocoa is produced in a sustainable, responsible and safe way. Cargill’s Cocoa & Chocolate business has committed to doubling the number Farmer Field Schools it operates in Côte d’Ivoire to 300 by mid 2010. Overall the programme will train 10,000 farmers by the end of the year. Harold Poelma, Managing Director of Cargill Cocoa & Chocolate explained, “Providing training and support enables farmers to increase yields, improve quality and through these - most importantly - to increase their incomes.

By raising awareness of environmental, health and social issues our programme is also helping local farming families and communities. In short, the training is directly benefiting farmers today and supports them in becoming successful entrepreneurs long term.” Farmers are benefitting from a 30% increase in their incomes from higher yields, as well as an improvement in the quality of their crop. This leads to an increase in farmers’ earnings as they receive a quality-related bonus payment from Cargill. During the ten month Farmer Field School training programme, farmers are trained in good and safe practices focusing on farming techniques and post-harvest activities such as pruning, plantation renewal and cocoa fermentation methods. The programme also stresses broader social aspects, such as the importance of ensuring children’s education and HIV awareness.

In total, the 300 schools will train 10,000 farmers spread over 35 farmer co-operatives by the end of 2010.

independent certification to improve agricultural, environmental and social practices in cocoa production.

Cargill began its farmer training programme initially as one-day quality seminars to inform farmers about better agricultural and post-harvest practices. This led to the current intensive ten month training programme enabling farmer co-operatives to improve their incomes and achieve UTZ Certification.

The Farmer Field Schools will enable co-operatives to become UTZ Certified, and this means that by the end of this year more than 10,000 tonnes of cocoa beans will be available for use in sustainably certified chocolate and cocoa products.

The UTZ Certified cocoa programme - founded by Cargill, along with Dutch development organisation Solidaridad and others in the cocoa sector - has introduced

“We are wholeheartedly committed to sustainable farming practices,” asserted Harold Poelma. “We are continuing to build on the success in Côte d’Ivoire by expanding our farmer training activities to our cocoa growing regions in Asia.”

2010 European Business Awards for the Environment

rigoglass has been distinguished amongst the top three companies in Europe for sustainable products for its Ecocool range at the European Business Awards for the Environment 2010. This distinction is awarded to companies that have developed a new product or service that makes an outstanding contribution to sustainable development. Frigoglass was recognised for the Product Award in the Sustainable Development category, for the introduction of the Ecocool range of beverage coolers (ICMs). These units use natural refrigerants that significantly reduce the impact on the environment

both in terms of greenhouse emissions and in terms of energy consumption. While conventional refrigerants have an average Global Warming Potential (GWP) of 1,300 over a period of 100 years, these new cutting-edge alternatives have a GWP of less than three. Also all Ecocool

units have active and passive energy conservation features that reduce power consumption by up to 50% compared to conventional models. The company’s customer base consists of The Coca-Cola Company bottlers (such as Coca-Cola Hellenic, Coca-Cola Enterprises, BIG, Coca-Cola Amatil, Coca-Cola Sabco), Pepsi, major brewers (such as Heineken, SABMiller, Carlsberg, Diageo ABInbev, Efes), dairy companies (Nestlé, Danone) and many others.

www.foodbev.com/beverage Issue 77 - July · August 2010

SUPPLEMENT 9

Sustainable sourcing

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Bringing hope to Haiti

hen a devastating earthquake hit Haiti in January 2010, Coca-Cola donated US$1 million (£649,000) to help relief efforts. The company also invested in a longer term initiative to support the ongoing rebuilding and economic growth of Haiti.

Haiti Hope drink to launch in early summer in Canada. 100% of the profits from every sale of these drinks will go to the Haiti Hope Project.

Going a step further The Coca-Cola Company has been part of the Haitian community since 1927 and the local bottling partner is the largest private sector employer in the country. The Haiti Hope Project is designed to create opportunities and improve incomes for 25,000 Haitian mango farmers and their families by supporting the development of a sustainable mango juice industry.

Bank (IDB) and the non-profit organisation TechnoServe, are partnering on this five year project, estimated at US$7.5 million, sharing technical expertise, research and experience. This collaboration is a pioneering effort to double the incomes of fruit farmers and to raise their standard of living, while contributing to the long term development and revitalisation of Haiti.

Working together

Consumers can contribute to this project by purchasing Odwalla Haiti Hope Mango Lime-Aid launched in the United States this month and a similar Odwalla

With the support of the Haitian Government, Coca-Cola, the Inter-America Development

The project shows how the business skills of big companies, such as Coca-Cola, can contribute to development goals and help build better societies. It already has strong supporters - Bill Clinton, the former US president and currently UN special envoy for Haiti, remarked: “The Coca-Cola Company responded to Haiti’s urgent immediate needs with financial support and beverages. The Haiti Hope Project goes a step further and exemplifies the innovative role that partnerships with the private sector can play in the reconstruction of Haiti.”

A global language

he first outcome of the Consumer Goods Forum Sustainability Pillar - is the report ‘A global language for packaging and sustainability’ which has just been published ‘as ‘a framework and measurement system for our industry.” The team responsible for this report and the other project activities includes experts and practitioners from across the entire packaging chain; retailers, manufacturers, converters and associations.

Board Sponsors for Sustainability Sir Terry Leahy CEO Tesco and Paul Polman CEO of Unilever identified the need in our industry for a common language to allow for intelligent and informed debate between and within companies on Sustainability; however, understanding the magnitude of this task, they proposed this should be first addressed for a more discreet, manageable area within the larger Sustainability agenda. Packaging was identified as one area of focus, hence this project. It was also agreed by the Global CEO Forum that the project would bring together existing work taking place across our industry rather than invent from scratch. The project has

succeeded in achieving this with the core input coming from projects taking place in ECR Europe, EUROPEN, the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) and the Sustainable Packaging Coalition (SPC).

Extended Producer Responsibility Twenty years ago, Europe pioneered Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for packaging. Packaged goods companies, suppliers, public authorities, recyclers, consumers and the waste management industry learned to work

together. Interest in optimising the life cycle of packaging quickly surged. Twenty years later, the idea of EPR is spreading to North America and Asia. On the occasion of this 20th anniversary, EUROPEN and PRO EUROPE are holding an international EPR seminar on 6 October 2010, Hotel Plaza, Brussels. High level experts and decision makers from the packaging and the EPR world across Europe and North America will converge on Brussels to exchange views on the past, present and future of EPR for packaging.

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