Two UN award-winning food chains
The efforts of BelOrta and REO Veiling to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals have been recognised by the agency UNITAR.
The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) is one of the main United Nations training instruments. Supporting the development of the global capacities needed to shape a better future is at the heart of its mission, whose outlines are defined by the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The UN agency therefore awards an SDG Pioneer certificate to companies that have worked to enable activities consistent with these aims.
BelOrta and REO Veiling, two of the largest Belgian cooperative companies in the fruit and vegetable sector, can now boast this prestigious UN label rewarding their production process that respects human well-being and environmental protection. Wim Hubrechts, from BelOrta, outlines the changes made in recent years within their companies, citing the replacement of conventional lighting in all hangars with LED lighting, the collection and use of rainwater, the reduction of individual plastic packaging, the contribution to research and development for the benefit of producers, the sponsorship of charitable organisations, actions to promote employee satisfaction and well-being, etc.
Let's hope that this desire for sustainable entrepreneurship will be emulated in Belgium and elsewhere.