Business operations, manufacturing and sourcing, experienced a fundamental change since communities realized the impact of companies on natural resources. While studies show how remote working can cut emissions by 54% or how people using paper straws can significantly help oceans clear out, we can’t help but wonder why companies urge the population to live sustainably if their operations are far from complying.
Unfortunately, many are exaggerating their green practices, making them easy to spot for their greenwashing practices. Considering how many multinationals exist, the effort to decline climate change is not even the bare minimum, upsetting activists and regular customers.
Still, clients hold the power here, and what they can do best is shift their preferences from these companies to ones that value sustainability. This movement requires time and research, but people can easily spot good companies if they follow responsible sourcing principles.
What is responsible sourcing?
Responsible sourcing targets supply chains from where companies choose to get their materials for the end product. Ideally, a business that is sourcing its materials considers ethical, sustainable and social aspects before purchasing the products because it realizes the impact of using them within the manufacturing process.
Companies can seek guidance from the International Labor Organization that discusses worker’s rights, discrimination and forced labor. At the same time, the UN Guiding Principles for Business and Human Rights tackles similar issues and provides a thorough framework for human rights.
Not every business chooses the same sourcing guidelines because each food manufacturer has different goals. Still, what they should all have in common is the purpose of contributing to a fair market, where consumers are sure about the product’s quality. But there’s also something more behind the scenes.
Why is responsible sourcing a thing?
While these practices are as old as the world, they’ve only been made public quite recently. Hence, it has been discovered that some companies breached human rights by forcefully using children to work at cocoa plantations in Africa, specifically in the Ivory Coast. Although these businesses are currently going through lawsuits, it’s more likely they won’t be affected. This is only one of the reasons why customers should look for a better cocoa manufacturer, for example, and show companies they’re not dependable on unlawful processes for their foods.
Besides the issue of respecting human rights, most companies don’t source materials locally, which isn’t an action that considers the local economy and the flow of money in communities. SMEs are one of the most important economic pillars; without them, there would be no jobs or growth in smaller areas. That’s why local sourcing helps producers and small businesses face tight competition and make a difference in their communities. Choosing a nuts producer based in the countryside or a smaller city will help that zone flourish and lower social inequality.
How can you check if a food product was created with responsibly sourced ingredients?
First, learning where you stand regarding sustainability measures would be best. Depending on your knowledge, goals and expectations, find what are the standard requirements for a company when it comes to organic produce or support of local communities.
Then, you can research the certifications linked with sustainability. USDA Organic certification, Fair Trade, or Certified Humane labels can ensure the product you’re buying meets specific standards and values on sustainability and worker’s rights.
When it comes to price, you might notice these products to be a little pricier compared to regular ones that can be found on every shop’s shelves. That’s because the investment for making these foods fairer and more responsibly manufactured is considerable, so in an effort to support their good practices, you may encourage their operations by buying less but enjoying more qualitative meals.
Regardless, it’s essential to be patient when choosing a sustainable and fair-trade product so it aligns with your morals. While it may not always be possible to consume responsibly all the time, your effort and implication will surely make the difference.
Supporting responsible sourcing by buying seasonal produce
One of the best things that comes to our minds to support local businesses is to buy seasonal produce to make the most out of its properties. Depending on where you live, there will be specific fruits, vegetables and cereals that grow in a particular season. For example, in the UK, blackberries and plums are a staple in the summer, while vegetables like salads and tomatoes are at their best during this season.
On the other hand, in Africa, summer fruits include apples, kiwi, bananas and more, and courgettes, endive and kohlrabi as vegetables. You’ll be surprised to find that a varied array of seasonal produce exists, and consuming them in that specific season will help you absorb its best features. A winter apple is considerably different from a summer one.
Of course, that doesn’t mean you have to avoid other fruits and vegetables that are out of season. Exotic fruits also have plenty of benefits for your health and well-being. Lychee, for example, has a high concentration of vitamin C, an essential element in one’s diet quality. Jackfruit, on the other hand, is used as a meat substitute for vegans, so it has a similar consistency but the taste of strawberry, cantaloupe and banana.
Still, this practice encourages you to eat meals when they’re supposed to grow. Therefore, producers aren’t making considerable efforts to mature them during different seasons and use more water and workforce than required. This helps the entire supply chain develop a circular motion, creating healthy and unaltered products for consumption.
Final considerations
Responsible sourcing helps us find what companies genuinely care about the environment and people’s rights. If businesses are fair and respect ethical principles, they contribute to a better world where natural resources are used with caution and employees are working without compromising their health or financial situation.
Unfortunately, we can only dream of such a world. Greenwashing and human exploitation are known to be practiced by almost all massive companies. Hence, the effort to change the course of things is a huge one, and it requires the involvement of the entire population and SMEs.
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