Today, consumers know what they want, when they want it. They?re looking for products they trust, and want suppliers to be transparent in their communications and behaviour.
In line with its commitment to operate effectively, efficiently and responsibly, in 2010, Unilever launched its Sustainable Living Plan. It?s a 10-year strategy to embed sustainable values into every part of the business. The overarching goals include: halving the environmental footprint of its ingredients; sourcing 100% of its agricultural raw materials sustainably; and helping a billion people take action to improve their health and wellbeing.
The plan is very unique because it applies to Unilever?s entire portfolio of brands, across all 170 countries in which they are sold, guaranteeing that the company will drive global change. Unilever also recognises that it has a responsibility across the entire supply chain, ensuring it supports the livelihood of millions. From introducing more sustainable packaging to reworking classic recipes to make them healthier, Unilever promises to improve ? always.
Unilever Food Solutions ? a specialist provider of modern professional ingredients for the hospitality and foodservice industry ? has announced its own set of targets to contribute to Sustainable Living Plan.
By 2020, Unilever Food Solutions globally will:
- Help chefs make 200 million meals daily healthier, tastier and more enjoyable.
- Help chefs to run a more efficient kitchen and reduce their waste.
- Source 100% of agricultural raw materials sustainably.
In the UK, Unilever Food Solutions will support these global targets by achieving the following over the next 12 months:
- Helping chefs to achieve at least a 5% reduction in food waste.
- Helping chefs to provide more healthy and nutritious meals to at least 1 million people, including students.
The goals are ambitious, but over time and by working together as an industry, they can be achieved. What?s more, it gives Unilever Food Solutions the opportunity to develop the great work it?s already started in these areas.
Today, it?s launching an industry?s first, free ?Wise up on Waste? mobile app to revolutionise the way chefs manage avoidable food waste ? challenging them to cut waste by at least 5%. Packed full of tips, advice, videos and resources to manage a bespoke waste audit, it will improve efficiently and profitability.
In addition to this, Unilever Food Solutions is continuing to provide free tools to help chefs reduce calories in their dishes, without compromising on taste. From online Calorie Calculators to a range of ?500-calories or less? recipes, these resources complement Unilever Food Solutions? training programme that was launched last year to help lecturers raise awareness and improve catering students? knowledge of nutrition in the workplace.
For more information on Unilever Food Solution?s Sustainable Living Plan, visit: http://www.sustainable-living.unilever.com/