Chile-based Hortifrut announced April 23 it had joined the B Corp movement. Calling it a prestigious recognition, the company said the achievement highlights its ongoing effort to balance economic success with a positive impact on people, the planet and the community.
“This achievement represents much more than a recognition: It is an opportunity to consolidate and expand our long-term strategy, in which sustainability is not an option, but an essential pillar of our business vision,” Héctor Luján, CEO of Hortifrut, said in a news release.
“This accomplishment is the result of the collaborative work of employees, producers, suppliers, customers, business partners and strategic allies who share the vision of a more responsible future,” Luján continued.
The B Corp Certification is awarded to companies that meet rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability in their management, according to the company. The certification process includes the evaluation of areas such as community and environmental impact, employee treatment, customer relations and ethical business practices, among others.
“Obtaining this certification has been the result of a comprehensive effort that has touched all levels of the company and its supply chain, from the implementation of governance policies to the measurement of environmental indicators, the optimization of resources throughout the operation and the promotion of labor inclusion programs,” said Pia Walker, Hortifrut’s sustainability manager.
“This achievement reflects our company’s ongoing commitment to continuous improvement and positions us as a benchmark in corporate responsibility within the sector,” Walker concluded.
