MIAMI, FL - As it looks to continue its efforts toward sustainability in its growing regions, Fresh Del Monte Produce has formed an innovative new alliance. The purveyor recently revealed it has teamed up with the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) to develop a three-year, multi-stakeholder partnership to maximize the use of natural resources and ensure the stability of landscapes in Costa Rica and Guatemala.
“Our goal is to elevate our sustainable agriculture programs beyond just our operations to create resilient and multifunctional landscapes throughout our entire watersheds,” said Hans Sauter, Chief Sustainability Officer and Senior Vice President of Research and Development at Fresh Del Monte. “We view this partnership as a powerful opportunity to enhance the capacity of the communities we live and work in, to build a better, more sustainable environment for future generations. With GIZ’s help, we’re taking our techniques and learnings from Costa Rica to Guatemala to continue our mission.”
According to a press release, the alliance aims to restore productive landscapes, boost the economic development of communities that have been impacted by COVID-19, conserve water resources in watersheds, and provide education for the sustainable development in neighboring lands surrounding Fresh Del Monte’s banana and pineapple farms in Costa Rica and Guatemala. As of now, 25 percent of Fresh Del Monte’s farmland has been set aside for conservation efforts.
The development of this unique partnership is part of the program that German Development Cooperation, GIZ, implements on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), to support cooperation between the private sector and developmental organizations, as noted in the release. GIZ plays a key role by facilitating relationships with government agencies and providing technical expertise in the implementation of activities related to biodiversity, conservation, and sustainability.
“To ensure the sustainability and resilience of the landscapes in the face of climate change, it is necessary to empower stakeholders and secure financial resources to promote the conservation of ecosystems,” said Svenja Paulino, Director of the Biodiversity and Business Program in Central America and the Dominican Republic. “For this reason, it is also important to create awareness in different players who impact and depend on biodiversity about the appropriate sustainable development of watersheds and their ecosystem services."
For over three decades, Fresh Del Monte has demonstrated commitment to Costa Rica’s sustainable development and biodiversity conservation, playing a vital role in protecting its forests and supporting its local communities.
As the company continues to push for sustainability in these key regions, keep reading AndNowUKnow for its latest moves and strategies.
