Do you procure coffee, tea and sugar? Why you should you care about supporting fair farming?

 

Pictures of attendees at Fortnum & Mason 

As a food business, if you source staples like coffee, tea, or sugar, it’s crucial to consider the farming practices behind these products. Supporting fair farming isn’t just about ethics and the well-being of the millions of people who rely on these goods for their livelihoods, it’s about ensuring the sustainability of your supply chain. This month’s Future Green Members Meetup, hosted at Fortnum & Mason, delved into the pressing issue of fair farming and how businesses can play a role in fostering a more equitable global food system.

Why Fair Farming?

Over 200 million people depend on fairly traded goods, including coffee, tea, and sugar, for their daily livelihoods. Fairtrade (the certification) and fairly traded goods aims to protect these workers from exploitation, ensuring better wages, safer working conditions, and ethical practices throughout the supply chain. Yet, challenges such as child labour, unhygienic conditions, and even corruption can undermine these efforts. This is why understanding the intricacies of your supply chain is crucial – ensuring transparency, ethical sourcing, and long-term sustainability.

 

Heidi with Chef Daniel of Fortnum & Mason 

Guest Speaker Spotlight: Chef Daniel Fenner on Building Sustainable Supply Chains

Chef Daniel Fenner of Fortnum & Mason provided invaluable insights. He emphasised that building long-term relationships with suppliers is key to making meaningful strides in sustainability. By working closely with suppliers to improve their practices rather than abandoning them when they fall short, businesses can foster a more ethical, resilient supply chain.

Daniel also posed a bold yet necessary challenge for the future:
“We will make a leap in sustainability when we start including sustainability standards with calorie labels, empowering consumers to make informed choices that benefit both their health and the planet.”

His vision highlights the critical role of consumers as the ultimate drivers of change. As businesses meet the growing demand for sustainability, they will not only elevate their brand but also contribute to a global shift towards more responsible sourcing.

Daniel also shared company values and core components of how employees stay up to date with sustainability initiatives including training. 

Key Takeaways

1. Start with Transparency, Not Perfection
   Fair farming is a journey. It’s about taking actionable steps and continuously improving your sourcing practices rather than expecting instant perfection. Transparency helps build trust with consumers and fosters a more ethical approach to procurement.
2. Context-Specific Solutions
   Fair farming practices must be tailored to regional contexts. What works in one region may not be applicable in another. By partnering with local experts who understand the unique challenges faced by farmers in specific regions, businesses can ensure that their efforts are both effective and sustainable.
3. Collaboration with Suppliers is Essential
   Building and nurturing long-term relationships with suppliers is crucial. Rather than dumping suppliers who don’t meet ideal standards, work with them to improve practices. This collaborative approach can lead to win-win solutions, ensuring a more ethical supply chain for all parties involved.

Looking Ahead: The Role of Businesses in Driving Change

Fair farming is a vital component of building a resilient and sustainable global food system. By investing time and effort into understanding your supply chain and collaborating with suppliers, businesses can create greater value for their operations while supporting the farmers who grow the products we rely on every day.

Supporting fair farming and ethical sourcing practices isn’t just about doing the right thing—it’s about future-proofing your business and contributing to a fairer, greener planet.

Thank you to Fortnum & Mason for hosting this enlightening session and for providing a delicious breakfast spread that showcased the possibilities of sustainable, high-quality food.

Big thank you to our sponsors – Invest Hong Kong and Fresh Accounting for their continued support in advancing our mission. 

Membership 3.0: Empowering Your Sustainability Journey

The event also introduced the very exciting, all new Future Green’s Membership 3.0– a revamped offering designed to empower businesses on their sustainability journey from the comfort of your seat. 

Heidi, CEO of Future Green, highlighted the key benefits for both paid and unpaid members, including access to Future Green Scorecards for benchmarking sustainability efforts, Webinar recordings, coaching, and new course cohorts for our signature courses – Food Sustainability Foundations and Carbon Literacy Course for the Food Sector.

 

This ALL NEW 100% ONLINE COMMUNITY will provide practical tools and frameworks to help businesses take impactful steps towards improving their supply chains and practical resources to really know if suppliers are sustainable. 

Learn more about the different tiers of membership here. 

Join our SKOOL community and become a member now!

Watch the reel for a quick summary of the event! 

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Contact Us: Got questions or ideas? Email us at hello@futuregreen.global.

Together, we’re not just talking about a sustainable future; we’re building it. Let’s make every meal a story worth telling.

Stay green, stay inspired.

Future Green Team

Are you curious about your food’s impact?