Growers United presents its first sustainability report. A report in which the cooperative records the steps taken in its sustainability approach by 2022.
"In anticipation of mandatory CSRD reporting in 2025, we deliberately chose to gain experience in setting up such a report," says Jacques Wolbert, Manager of Sustainability at Growers United. "We don't want to wait until it is mandatory and to already reap the 'benefits' of the insights the data provides."
Aubergine grower and board member Pleun van Duijn on the left and Jacques Wolbert, Manager of Sustainability at Growers United, on the right
In 2019, Growers United formulated an organization-wide sustainability approach, including ambitions and goals. This approach is based on three pillars; Less Impact, Reduce Waste, and Healthy People. This means that the cooperative aims to reduce the environmental impact of growing and packaging fruiting vegetables. Growers United also wants to increase the well-being of employees and consumers. With the ultimate goal of being fully circular, fair, and healthy by 2040 at the latest.
"On the way to 2040, we as a cooperative have set interim targets for 2025," says board member and aubergine grower Pleun van Duijn on behalf of the sustainability working group. "And we believe we will achieve these."
Horti Footprint
Partly thanks to calculating the Horti Footprint, Growers United knows where its members stand. "With this standardized calculation method, we monitor the sustainable developments of our growers. It shows our members which wheels they need to turn in order to become more sustainable," says Jacques. "And every year, the Horti Footprint is recalculated for all growers."
Making the chain more sustainable
The goals and actions in Growers United's sustainable approach have so far mainly focused on the cultivation companies, packaging, and its own employees. The cooperative will take concrete steps to include the chain in its sustainability efforts in the coming years. For example, by making agreements with exporters and suppliers.
For more information:
Growers United 
Honderland 899, 2676 LV
Maasdijk, the Netherlands
[email protected]
www.growersunited.nl