<p>Chiquita Brands International, Inc. announced the publication of its 2009-2012 Corporate Social Responsibility Report: Our Renewed Purpose, which details Chiquita’s environmental and sustainability initiatives, community activities, culture and training initiatives, and quality and food safety programs, according to a press release. The report additionally highlights Chiquita’s collaborations and partnerships, including 20 years of sustained work with the Rainforest Alliance.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> The multimedia report details four key areas of priority for its corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives to create positive change in the communities in which it does business and to develop its workforce: a sustainable 2020 target of reducing fresh water usage 15 percent and carbon emissions 30 percent from a 2007 baseline, responsible sourcing, employee training programs, and collaboration with external stakeholders.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> “Investing in our communities with creativity through environmental initiatives, employee volunteerism, and partnerships is at the core of our purpose and values,” said Ed Lonergan, Chiquita’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “Our team members have innovated, developed, and embraced a multitude of partnerships, collaborations, and local initiatives that have empowered local communities and delivered meaningful improvements to our company. We are proud to provide this report on our progress, as well as to outline the areas where we have more work to achieve in the years ahead.”<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> “Looking back on our initiatives, achieving Rainforest Alliance certification was a turning point that not only transformed our farms and production practices but also planted a seed of environmental and social responsibility in the minds of thousands of men and women working in banana production,” added Manual Rodríguez, Chiquita’s Senior Vice President for Governmental & International Affairs and Corporate Responsibility Officer. “CSR and sustainability have become an integral part of our operations and a source of pride for our employees who make all that we do possible. Looking forward, we will report on our progress annually.”</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p><a class="btn btn-sm btn-primary col-lg-12" style="white-space: normal;" href="http://www.chiquita.com" target="_new"> Chiquita </a></p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">
