At CIRFOOD, sustainability is central to our business operations. One of the most important pillars of our sustainability strategy is the 5-Pillar Procurement Plan. This plan focuses on five procurement categories with strict criteria and quality marks, which we use to give concrete form to our vision of responsible entrepreneurship.
1. Organic
Products that are certified organic, meaning that no synthetic pesticides or fertilizers have been used.
2. Local
Food that comes from the region, supporting local economies and reducing the ecological footprint through shorter transport distances.
3. Sustainably produced
Items with labels such as MSC, ASC, or FSC, which demonstrate that they have been produced in an environmentally friendly and socially responsible manner.
4. Fair trade
Products obtained under fair trade conditions, whereby producers receive a fair price for their goods.
5. Vegan or vegetarian
Plant-based foods, promoting a more sustainable and healthier diet.
By applying these pillars, we strive to align our purchasing practices with the principles of the EAT-Lancet diet, also known as the ‘menu of the future’. This diet emphasizes small changes on the plate that have a big impact on the world, such as reducing the consumption of meat and dairy products and increasing plant-based foods.
Currently, 60% of our product range falls within our 5-Pillar Procurement Plan. Our goal is to increase this percentage to 80%, a step towards a more sustainable and responsible product range.
We have set specific goals within our services:
We carefully select our producers and suppliers, with a strong focus on:
Our purchasing department checks certificates and monitors the sustainability performance of our partners. We also screen for waste, paying attention to the use of residual products and accepting “odd ones out” to reduce food waste.
Transparency is essential to our sustainability efforts. During tactical meetings, our partners receive quarterly reports on our progress and initiatives in the field of sustainable procurement. These reports provide insight into our performance and help us to work together towards continuous improvement.
CIRFOOD's 5-Pillar Procurement Plan is a concrete expression of our commitment to sustainability and corporate social responsibility. By applying strict criteria and quality marks within our procurement categories, we work together with our partners to build a better future for people and the environment.
