July 09, 2024 08:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Fresh Del Monte Named 2024 SEAL Business Sustainability Award Winner

Leading producer, marketer, and distributor of high-quality fresh and fresh-cut fruit and vegetables recognized for its efforts to promote sustainability in emerging economies

CORAL GABLES, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. (NYSE: FDP), one of the world’s leading vertically integrated producers, marketers, and distributors of high-quality fresh and fresh-cut fruit and vegetables, was recently awarded a 2024 SEAL Business Sustainability Award in the Environmental Initiative category for the JUNTOS Project, an initiative focused on landscape restoration, conservation, and sustainable development.

“We are honored to be recognized by the SEAL Awards and are committed to being a sustainable business leader by promoting conservation and restoration best practices in emerging economies”

Kicking off in 2021 in partnership with the German Development Cooperation (GIZ), the JUNTOS Project restores productive landscapes, conserves water resources in watersheds, continues to boost the economic development of communities in need, and provides education around sustainable land development for areas surrounding Fresh Del Monte’s banana and pineapple farms in Costa Rica and Guatemala. JUNTOS brings local groups and other public sector groups together to align on conservation and community development and allows for local teachers and students to learn more about biodiversity and ecosystem services to integrate community development and environmental conservation efforts. The project has successfully reforested 348 hectares of land, proposed over 400 hectares for private wildlife refuges, set aside more than 10,000 hectares of land for biodiversity conservation, and created five alliances to educate local communities.

Through the JUNTOS Project, Fresh Del Monte has developed a variety of programs within the communities that focus on conservation, restoration, and reforestation that aim to engage and educate locals to support these activities in their own communities. While the JUNTOS Project currently only operates in Costa Rica and Guatemala, Fresh Del Monte hopes to expand it to other green economies, providing important cultural and ecological education for the next generation of sustainable development stewards.

“We are honored to be recognized by the SEAL Awards and are committed to being a sustainable business leader by promoting conservation and restoration best practices in emerging economies,” said Hans Sauter, Fresh Del Monte Chief Sustainability Officer. “Through local collaborative efforts and a cross-functional, multi-stakeholder partnership, the JUNTOS Project has completed extensive reforestation and conservation efforts that will benefit local communities for years to come.”

Each year, the SEAL Awards recognize 50 of the most sustainable and recognized companies in the world, honoring their leadership, innovation and commitment to sustainable business practices. Fresh Del Monte takes a holistic approach to sustainability, weaving it into its business practices in every part of the value chain. This is the company’s third time being honored. “Integration and impact are the watchwords of the 2024 SEAL Sustainability Awards,” commented Matt Harney, Chairperson and Founder of SEAL Awards. “This year, we saw an impressive synthesis of technology, design, and innovation combined to drive sustainable impact.”

Fresh Del Monte has been at the forefront of sustainable practices—sustainability is woven into the business at all levels. The company is focusing on reducing its emissions and food waste, and adopting regenerative agriculture and smart farming practices, among many others. The JUNTOS project and the SEAL Award exemplifies the company's dedication to sustainability throughout its operations and shows how the company is leading the way in conservation, sustainable agriculture, and innovation for A Brighter World Tomorrow™.

ABOUT FRESH DEL MONTE

Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. is one of the world’s leading vertically integrated producers, marketers, and distributors of high-quality fresh and fresh-cut fruit and vegetables, as well as a leading producer and distributor of prepared food in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. markets its products worldwide under the DEL MONTE® brand (under license from Del Monte Foods, Inc.), a symbol of product innovation, quality, freshness, and reliability for over 135 years. The company also markets its products under the MANN™ brand and other related trademarks. Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. is not affiliated with certain other Del Monte companies around the world, including Del Monte Foods, Inc., the U.S. subsidiary of Del Monte Pacific Limited, Del Monte Canada, or Del Monte Asia Pte. Ltd. Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. is the first global marketer of fruits and vegetables to commit to the “Science Based Targets” initiative. In 2022, 2023 and 2024, Fresh Del Monte Produce was ranked as one of “America’s Most Trusted Companies” by Newsweek based on an independent survey rating companies on three different touchpoints, including customer trust, investor trust, and employee trust. The company was also named a Humankind 100 Company for two consecutive years by Humankind Investments, which recognizes companies that substantially impact areas such as access to food and clean water, healthcare, and digital services. Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. is traded on the NYSE under the symbol FDP.