The Business Coalition Gathers Steam

figura1 024.jpg

In January 24 representatives from 16 leading businesses in the food industry met in Houston at SYSCO headquarters to articulate a shared framework of sustainability and to support common initiatives on standards, packaging and small farmer access to markets.

  • The group discussed frameworks for a “more sustainable food system,” and how to get customer and company buy-in.
  • They heard three excellent presentations from Unilever, Ahold, and WWF describing how organizations that have been working on sustainability for more than ten years frame the issues, prioritize initiatives, and build support.
  • Jan Kees Vis (Unilever) and Jason Clay (WWF) shared an update on the work of the SFL Responsible Commodities Initiative (RCI) and the group discussed the last meeting which was held in Costa Rica.
  • They heard updates from the BCSF Steering Committee (Norm Clubb, Larry Pulliam, Craig Watson, Kim Brown, & Laura Freeman) and discussed possibilities for a clearer process around membership and new companies joining.
  • Each of the three BCSF initiatives presented progress updates: Small Farmer Access which is focused on Latin America, Sustainable Packaging and Harmonizing Standards with an initial focus on Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and Animal Welfare.

figura1 038.jpg

Rick Schnieders, SYSCO's Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President, told the group that, “The need for this work is clear. There is an opportunity now to not only think about preventing harm or reducing degradation and negative impacts but a real opportunity to think about rejuvenating and regenerating the system. That is true on multiple levels—rejuvenating the soil, the air, and communities—all while providing the differentiated products on which we depend.”

The following people attended: Sylvia Blanchet (ForesTrade), Kim Brown (USFoodservice), Jason Clay (WWF), Norm Clubb (Unilever), Ana Fernandez (USFoodservice), Meire Ferreira (Sadia), Ed Flanagan (Jasper Wymans), Jeff Fisher (Heinz), Sheri Flies (Costco), Bud Floyd (CHRobinson), Laura Freeman (Laura’s Lean Beef), Maisie Ganzler (Bon Appetit), JD Grubb (CHRobinson), Cindy Halberlin (USFoodservice), Charles Hallock (Rabobank), Chris Lowe (Coke), Theresa Marquez (Organic Valley), Dennis Macray (Starbucks), Larry Pulliam (SYSCO), Rick Schnieders (SYSCO), Bill Shepard (General Mills/ Robin Hood), Casper van Zijl (Ahold), Jan Kees Vis (Unilever), Craig Watson (SYSCO), George Williams (Darden Restaurants) Alison Sander, & Hal Hamilton.