Greggs has committed to using 100% Fairtrade chocolate across its supply chain and in all chocolate products sold through its shops by the end of 2021.
The move, which will see the business source all its chocolate from Fairtrade accredited suppliers, forms part of its sustainability plan called the Greggs Pledge. Launched earlier this year, the pledge lays out 10 commitments which the food-to-go specialist hopes to achieve by 2025 – this includes having a responsible sourcing strategy in place.
Greggs has sourced all coffee beans and fruit from Fairtrade accredited suppliers since 2005, adding apple juice, orange juice, sugar sticks, sugar syrup, hot chocolate, black tea, mint tea and green tea to its Fairtrade commitments over the years. Now chocolate is joining the fold.
Its line-up of chocolate products includes milk chocolate cookies, caramel shortbread, and brownies.
“We are proud to have continued to increase our Fairtrade commitments over time, which include coffee beans, apple juice, orange juice, sugar sticks, sugar syrup, hot chocolate, black tea, mint tea, green tea, bananas and now chocolate,” said Malcolm Copland, commercial director at Greggs.
“It has been incredible to see the positive impact and difference we can make to producer communities. We look forward to building on this success further and doing our bit to help change the lives of the thousands of people involved.”
Fairtrade works with more than 1.7 million farmers and workers in 1,707 producer organisations to make trade fair, setting social, economic and environmental standards for companies and farmers across all stages of the supply chain. Benefits of using Fairtrade cocoa, according to Greggs, include:
- Improving household income for the farmers who are guaranteed a minimum price for their crop and receive a Fairtrade premium on top of this
- Offering support to tackle climate change and care for the environment by providing farmers with technical advice from experts on the ground
- Empowering women through Fairtrade standards which call for equal opportunities for women to participate as well as investments in women-focused projects.
Michael Gidney, CEO of the Fairtrade Foundation added: “The move offers customers more options to do the right thing by farmers. Through choosing Fairtrade chocolate, cocoa producers can improve their household income, access training to adapt to climate change and participate in programmes that train women to be leaders and entrepreneurs.”
1 Readers' comment