France to ban plastic packaging for fruit and vegetables, with longer phase-out for berries

France will ban plastic packaging for nearly all fruit and vegetables from January 2022 in a bid to reduce plastic waste, the environment ministry said. Implementing a February 2020 law, the government published a list of about 30 fruits and vegetables that will have to be sold without plastic packaging from Jan. 1. The list […]
Tesco’s new mission: Net zero emissions across chain by 2050

UK supermarket chain Tesco is making a further commitment to world climate sustainability by saying it would reach net zero emissions in its value chain by 2050. The action will include all of the products that are in its stores as well as throughout supply chains, which will meet the goals set out by the […]
Generation Z, Sustainable Purchasing And the Connection with Agriculture

As our natural food systems weaken and no longer seem able to deliver what is expected, we look for ways to change its trajectory. Gradually we begin to understand that one of the major causes of unsustainability in the food systems is not only production but also ‘irresponsible’ consumption. Our food seems cheap, but only […]
European Market: Lessons Drawn From Sustainable Rice

When I first met Jim Prevor, I was already long impressed with his acuity in commenting on the state of the industry and in guiding it to a more prosperous future. I asked Jim how he managed to be so consistently innovative and insightful in his writings. He pointed out to me that he had […]
Produce notes: Aldi opts for fridge doors to save energy; Veg Power teams with Love British Food

Step inside Aldi stores now, and they are fairly wide open. Fresh produce and other sundries are displayed in boxes or on shelves, easily accessible if not at times chaotically picked over by customers. But a change is coming that will not only give Aldi a more streamlined look but provide a huge offset to […]
Top Scottish berry supplier turns to 100% recycled punnets

Scottish berry supplier Angus Soft Fruits is switching its punnets to 100% recycled material, helping the company save more than 150 tonnes of single use plastic in the coming year. Angus, backed by its popular AVA Berries brand says that will include its strawberries, blackberries, raspberries and blueberries. It supplies most of the leading supermarkets in […]
How BerryWorld and its growers are thriving while keeping an eye on the environment

Like most UK produce companies, BerryWorld for decades not only has focussed on delivering high-quality fruit to consumers but also ensured its operations and growers do in a sustainable manner. Its grower base are all Global Gap certified, as well as meeting Nurture, Sedex, BRC and Leaf standards for food safety and labour. While working […]
U.S.: Lidl Builds Sustainable Presence by Listening to Customers

Today’s consumers are focused on produce purchases that fit their lifestyle and improve their health, but environmental sustainability is becoming an important buying factor too. And that’s something Retail Sustainability Award winner Lidl US is embracing in a big way. At a time when COVID-19, a related recession and a major lifestyle realignment have made consumers rethink […]