Chiquita Brands International, Inc: Chiquita Publishes Corporate Social Responsibility Report
(Thomson Reuters ONE) -
CHIQUITA PUBLISHES CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY REPORT
Targets reductions of 15 percent in fresh water usage and 30 percent in carbon
emissions by 2020
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - August 29, 2013 - Chiquita Brands International, Inc. (NYSE:
CQB) today announced the publication of its 2009-2012 Corporate Social
Responsibility Report: Our Renewed Purpose, which details Chiquita's
environmental and sustainability initiatives, community activities, culture and
training initiatives and quality and food safety programs. In addition, the
report highlights Chiquita's collaborations and partnerships, including 20 years
of sustained work with the Rainforest Alliance.
The multimedia report details four key areas of priority for its corporate
social responsibility (CSR) initiatives: sustainability with a 2020 target of
reducing fresh water usage 15 percent and carbon emissions 30 percent from a
2007 baseline, responsible sourcing, employee training programs, and
collaboration with external stakeholders. Through these program areas, Chiquita
strives to create positive change in the communities in which it does business
and to develop its workforce.
"Investing in our communities with creativity through environmental initiatives,
employee volunteerism and partnerships is at the core of our purpose and
values," said Ed Lonergan, Chiquita's President and Chief Executive Officer.
"Our team members have innovated, developed and embraced a multitude of
partnerships, collaborations and local initiatives that have empowered local
communities and delivered meaningful improvements to our company. We are proud
to provide this report on our progress, as well as to outline the areas where we
have more work to achieve in the years ahead."
Highlights from the report include:
* Substantial improvements in the conditions impacting the occupational health
and safety of employees and contractors through safety programs such as
Target Zero and a focus on employee engagement:
* Latin American operations achieved a 62 percent reduction in health and
safety incident rates between 2008 and 2012.
* North American operations achieved a 12 percent reduction in health and
safety incidents rates in 2012 compared to 2008, and 40 percent since
2002.
* Launch of the Live Chiquita! initiative in 2011, including a volunteer
time off program that enables employees to devote time each year to work
on community projects, many related to sustainability.
* The formation in 2011 of the first Women's Committee in the banana industry
as part of a joint effort with the International Union of Foodworkers and
COLSIBA, the most comprehensive global and regional banana unions,
respectively.
* Twenty years of sustained collaboration with the Rainforest Alliance, one of
the longest relationships between a company and a non-governmental
organization. Today, Chiquita sources bananas from 40,000 hectares of
Rainforest Alliance certified banana farms that include all of Chiquita's
owned operations and more than 200 local growers that supply Chiquita.
* A carbon footprint analysis undertaken with the Massachusetts Institute of
Technology (MIT) into the greenhouse gas emissions from every phase of
banana production and transportation, identifying the greatest opportunities
to reduce emissions.
* A detailed water risk assessment developed jointly with the World Wildlife
Fund International of agricultural operations in banana production in Latin
America, as well as of lettuce in the western U.S.
* Use of the GAIN(TM) tool to reduce use of irrigation water and nitrogen
while maintaining lettuce yield and quality. Commercial-scale field trials
in the Salinas and Imperial Valleys have shown reductions of irrigation
water use of up to 15 percent and of nutrient fertilizer application of up
to 50 percent.
* Certification of all Fresh Express salad manufacturing facilities under Food
Safety Certification 22000 (FSSC 22000) since 2010.
* Biodiversity partnerships with governments, customers and local
organizations that are contributing to the conservation of exceptional
biodiversity, including the Nogal Nature and Community Project in Costa Rica
and San San Pond Sak in Panama.
"Looking back on our initiatives, achieving Rainforest Alliance certification
was a turning point that not only transformed our farms and production practices
but also planted a seed of environmental and social responsibility in the minds
of thousands of men and women working in banana production," added Manuel
Rodríguez, Chiquita's Senior Vice President for Governmental & International
Affairs and Corporate Responsibility Officer. "CSR and sustainability have
become an integral part of our operations and a source of pride for our
employees who make all that we do possible. Looking forward, we will report on
our progress annually."
Read Chiquita's 2009-2012 Corporate Social Responsibility Report, here. For more
information about Chiquita's commitment to the community, visit
www.chiquita.com/The-Chiquita-Difference.aspx.
Contacts:
Steve Himes, 980-636-5636, shimes(at)chiquita.com, (Investors & Analysts)
Ed Loyd, 980-636-5145, eloyd(at)chiquita.com, (Media)
ABOUT CHIQUITA BRANDS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Chiquita Brands (NYSE: CQB) is a leading international marketer and distributor
of nutritious, high-quality fresh and value-added food products - from energy-
rich bananas, blends of convenient green salads, other fruits to healthy
snacking products. The company markets its healthy, fresh products under the
Chiquita® and Fresh Express® premium brands and other related trademarks. With
annual revenues of more than $3 billion, Chiquita employs approximately 20,000
people and has operations in approximately 70 countries worldwide. For more
information, please visit http://www.chiquita.com/.
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Source: Chiquita Brands International, Inc via Thomson Reuters ONE
[HUG#1725983]
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Datum: 29.08.2013 - 22:17 Uhr
Sprache: Deutsch
News-ID 292368
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