Lidl UK has made an official commitment to supplying its customers with bananas sourced from Fairtrade or Rainforest Alliance certified farms.

The supermarket is in the process of switching its banana sourcing model, pledging to complete the objective by the end of this year.

According to Lidl UK, the move is central to its corporate social responsibility policies to ensure the business always acts in an environmentally friendly and socially conscious manner.

"We are extremely pleased to make this commitment to sourcing our bananas from Rainforest Alliance Certified farms and see this as a positive step for all involved - from the producer to our customers," says head of fresh produce buying Jon Covey in a release.

"We fully recognise and respect the work of the Rainforest Alliance in promoting the well-being of workers and the conservation of natural resources.

"We are totally committed to ensuring fairness throughout our supply chains."

The supermarket has been working closely with supply partners on changing the majority of the grocery retailer’s banana supply over to Rainforest Alliance Certified farms (86%) by December 2016, with the remaining bananas coming from Fairtrade Foundation farms (12%).

Rainforest Alliance certified plantations undergo annual audits to make sure they comply with rigorous social criteria designed to protect the farm workers, their families, local communities and the environment.

Photo: www.shutterstock.com

www.freshfruitportal.com