Fruttagel is a member of Impronta Etica
Fruttagel supports Impronta Etica
Ethics and social responsibility
Here at Fruttagel, sustainability means acting on several fronts in the knowledge that economic growth cannot be separated from social development, and goes hand in hand with protection of the environment. For this reason we consider Corporate Social Responsibility an essential part of what we do and our work as a cooperative.
We have reported our activities in the field of Corporate Social Responsibility since 2006, when our first Social Report was drafted; this has been expanded with new chapters and sections each year since. With the 2014 edition, we initiated a shift from a Social Report to a Sustainability Report, with a more precise identification of areas and policies to be brought to the attention and involvement of our main stakeholders.
The Sustainability Report is now an essential part of our way of doing business, presented annually at the shareholders’ AGM along with our Financial Statements, and is fully integrated in our Business Plan.
For the three-year period 2021-2023, our Sustainability Report identifies and describes in detail the actions we consider to be priorities in each area.
Main policies
| Area of application | Topic | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Mapping of risks, impacts and due diligence |
Description and assessment of risks, evaluation of impacts and interactions with key stakeholders | Broad identification of risks and impacts. Mitigation and/or elimination plan (2023). |
| 2. Competitiveness and sustainability in investment and management decisions |
Energy and water efficiency and waste recovery for a circular economy. Certification of production, partly with a view to greater sustainability. |
Construction of a new warehouse for frozen vegetables, scheduled for operation from 2024. Certification and rationalisation in the production of plant-based beverages. Operational by 2022 |
| 3. Commercial policy and a culture of sustainability |
Improve positioning and economic sustainability; act on demand to contribute to certification for sustainability and consumerism | The preferences of customers and consumers are matched by those of Fruttagel in terms of more sustainable products; including the finished product, packaging, and in general higher quality standards. |
| 4. Certification of the production chain |
Improve the performance of MPA growers in order to increase value and deliver more sustainability throughout the production chain | Fruttagel’s growth prospects depend on two factors relating to growers: aggregation and specialisation, with a view to sustainability. On the horizon: a cohesive group, specialising in MPA for industrial processing. |
| 5. Development of AlmaverdeBio Ambiente (ABA) |
Development of the brand as an initial demonstration of the sustainability and strategic importance of organic production | The brand is the first instance of the development of organic production and Fruttagel’s commitment to this sector. The issue is closely linked to the certification of growers for the purpose. |
| 6. Innovation of products and processes |
Upgrading of products and processes in line with growth objectives and with a focus on sustainability; coherent sales and communication initiatives | For Fruttagel, the ability to continue innovating products and processes is an essential part of our development. This must be accompanied by targeted and appropriate communication activities |
| 7. Culture of sustainability |
Sustainability – in every sense of the word – as a shared focus for employees at all levels | The company’s overall sustainability depends on awareness by all staff of the new and necessary logical and professional framework for sustainability and business ethics. |
| 8. Training |
Professional awareness and social ethics; digitalisation as a necessary premise for culture and competitiveness | Staff training has always been a core focus for Fruttagel, as a driver for continuous improvement in skills. Today this is more essential than ever, partly due to the future need for digitalisation. |
| 9. Diversity, difference, equal opportunities |
The need to update/adapt in line with social and regulatory requirements | The issue of equal opportunities is considered an essential part of sustainability policy and arises from the company’s ongoing concern for gender issues and diversity, typical of the cooperative tradition. |
| 10. Corporate welfare |
Application and development of Fruttagel’s policies on this issue | Corporate welfare at Fruttagel, established through a trade union agreement in 2018, is seen as an essential tool for further commitment to the company and for improving people’s lives. |
| 11. Environment: a. emissions and waste b. energy c. water |
Improvement in Fruttagel’s environmental balance sheet by setting and monitoring specific reduction targets for the indicators mentioned. | The focus on environmental sustainability is now the most essential factor in Fruttagel’s strategy, fully integrated into its business plan and sustainability report. |
Area
Growers: increased commitment to organic methods
Customers and “marketing of organic products”
Overseas development
Training, information
Company/local area
Corporate welfare
Belonging and Code of Ethics
Certification of suppliers
Innovation: products and processes
Environmental sustainabilityWater resources Environmental sustainability
Energy Environmental sustainability
Waste, emissions
DMA (Disclosure Management Approach)
A trusted group of growers to develop organic crops in the medium term Work with customers to promote/consolidate organic products Establish and develop a market segment focused on foreign markets Gain the loyalty of employees and respect their work and their views Support for local business and social development; circular economy Programmes and initiatives that enhance working conditions Employee participation in the regulatory system (Charter), review of the Code of Ethics Coordination/optimisation of policies for the supply of goods and services Initiatives and projects to enable higher value and more sustainable production Initiatives, projects and investments geared to rationalising water use and controlling animal waste Investment, collaborations, processes and procedures to optimise and reduce energy use Initiatives, collaborations and investment aimed at reducing, recycling and monitoring waste and harmful emissionsSustainable development guides our medium to long-term strategies, in which we undertake to contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals set out in the 2030 Agenda.
Specifically, we are committed to achieving goals number 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12 and 13.
UN Goal 2
End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture
UN Goal 3
Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages
UN Goal 5
Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
UN Goal 6
Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all
UN Goal 7
Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all
UN Goal 8
Promote sustained inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all
UN Goal 12
Ensure sustainable production and consumption patterns
UN Goal 13
Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts
What we have done
Food quality and wellbeing:
- organic food development: 32% of the fruit and vegetables we process are organic;
- controls: we carry out over 486,000 internal checks and over 1,300 external checks on our products;
- food education: we foster good dietary habits and sustainable lifestyles with dedicated initiatives aimed particularly at younger consumers.
- certification: our work is validated and substantiated by a number of certifications. See them here
Work:
We work to incentivise continuous employment,characterised by excellent stability in working relationships and a firm commitment to employment contracts with advanced provisions for welfare,prioritising measures to support the social and wellbeing needs of employees and facilitate a good work-life balance.
Ethics:
Defining and implementing the ethical and moral values required by all parties in their relations and work with Fruttagel is, for us, an integral part of being a responsible company. For this reason, in 2009 we established a Code of Ethics and an Organisational Model drafted pursuant to Legislative Decree no. 231/2001 and in 2017, in order to strengthen the culture of cooperative work and a feeling of belonging, our employees developed a Membership Charter,which identifies the ethical, appropriate, virtuous and sustainable behaviours that each employee is required to adopt and demand from others.
Whistleblowing:
According to the provisions of Legislative Decree 24/2023, reports to the Supervisory Body (ODV) of any behavior not aligned with the model’s guidelines must be made through an IT procedure that ensures the anonymity of the whistleblower, managed by a third party.
To submit a report, access the platform via the following link https://fruttagel.whistletech.online/#/
The Educational project
At Fruttagel, working towards sustainable development means fostering correct nutrition and sustainable lifestyles among the younger generations. These principles distinguish our business activity in terms of both production and customer relations, and guide the development of projects specifically targeting younger consumers.
With the initiative “Dal campo al banco con Ortilio”, aimed at primary schools in the municipalities of Alfonsine, Argenta, Bagnacavallo, Fusignano, Longastrino, Lugo, Mezzano, Ravenna, Campomarino, Guglionesi, Larino, Portocannone, San Martino In Pensilis, Termoli and Ururi, we support the adoption of healthy lifestyles and correct, balanced eating habits among children and families, enhancing the quality and authenticity of the food supply chain and fostering environmentally friendly behaviour.
The course provides a series of educational experiences for pupils, developed in line with national recommendations for primary schools and the Italian Education Provision Plans (POF); and offers the possibility of participating in an educational competition on a different theme each year relating to the environment, good nutrition and healthy and sustainable lifestyles. Launched in 2014, the project has involved over 700 classes in the local area.
To learn more, visit the website educational.fruttagel.it.