The foodservice industry is growing, with an increasing number of people eating out. This means a rising demand for ingredients. To guarantee supply we need to continue improving the way we produce these ingredients. It starts with the way we source the raw materials they are made of.
Our Approach To Sustainable Sourcing
Chefs want to use the best quality ingredients. We believe that sustainably sourced ingredients, grown in optimum conditions, can deliver high quality and great taste.
That’s why we’re committed to sourcing 100% sustainably grown ingredients in our products by 2020. By providing chefs with superior products that are sourced sustainably we can minimise the impact we have on the environment and support sustainable agriculture.
By sharing information on the source of our products, we are also meeting an emerging demand from chefs and guests.
Unilever recognises that producers may want help to improve their sustainable practices. We support producers, who become partners in our Sustainable Agriculture Program, to improve their growing practices in a sustainable way.
To speed up this improvement pilot projects are funded by our €1 million Knorr Partnership Fund. To date, the Partnership Fund has set up 28 projects in ten countries.
In addition there are Knorr Landmark farms in Spain, Italy, Greece, Portugal and Germany. These farms are agricultural role models for local producers, showcasing inspiring examples of sustainable practice.
For example in Spain, we advised farmers on sustainable techniques to increase yield, reduce the use of pesticides and optimise water usage.
Unilever is one of the world’s largest buyers of processed tomatoes, using an estimated 3% of global production volume.*
When you buy as many tomatoes as we do, there’s a clear need to source them from farmers and suppliers that comply with the Unilever Sustainable Agricultural Code (SAC).
*Source: www.unilever.com/sustainable-living/sustainablesourcing/fruit-vegetables/index.aspx
So how are our tomatoes sustainably grown?
The varieties of tomatoes we use are carefully selected for their quality, vibrant colour and great taste!
We use the right amount of water per plant and only pick them at the right time for optimum freshness. Plus, we make sure we don’t waste a single seed or skin in the cooking process by sending them back for livestock feed!
We take this much care to ensure we are protecting the future of our supply, improving the livelihoods of the farmers and enhancing the flavour of every dish you serve using our ingredients.
In 2012, Knorr launched its first range of sauces made from sustainably grown tomatoes into the UK market.
We buy around 12% of the world’s black tea supply. PG tips and Lyons tea are now fully Rainforest Alliance Certified® and 50% of Lipton tea already comes from Rainforest Alliance Certified® farms with out mission to be fully certified by 2015.
Find out what this means for tea workersFind out more about Rainforest Alliance Certification
Our progress on sustainable sourcing is strong.
In addition to sustainably grown fruit and vegetables, there are other raw material groups in our top ten that we are tackling: palm oil, paper and board, soy, sugar, tea, sunflower oil, rapeseed oil, dairy ingredients and cocoa.
At the end of 2012, all palm oil used in our products came from sustainable sources and by 2020 all palm oil will be purchased from certified and traceable sustainable sources.
Hellmann's Mayonnaise
Made with free range pasteurised eggs.
Colman’s Condiments & Mustards
Colman’s work with farmers to create cooperative benefits which include sharing costs, knowledge and increasing efficiency.
