Migros, the largest retail company in Switzerland, has a long history as a socially responsible company − its implementation of food safety, environmental and social standards in procurement began almost 30 years ago.
For over 12 years, we have been working with Migros on the promotion of social criteria amongst its producers in South Spain.
Since 2018, our team in cooperation with BSD Consulting Switzerland, has provided Migros with tailor-made consultancy services to support the implementation of good social practices in strawberry production in Huelva, South Spain.
Picture: Migros Website ,2020
We began the project with a study on the most relevant social issues in the cultivation of strawberries in Huelva. In round table discussions with representatives of Migros, producers, NGOs and syndicates facilitated by our team, a set of priority objectives and measures were defined.
We then supported the producers in defining specific action plans, which were audited by an external certification body, based on a methodology developed by our team.
In 2020, our team, in cooperation with BSD Consulting Switzerland, began implementing a follow-up project on behalf of Migros – taking the measures we had earlier defined and applying them to a larger group of producers. Stakeholder round tables and workshops with business partners in the region provided an opportunity to exchange experience and raise awareness at the farm management level.
The project allows Migros to achieve the socially responsible sourcing of strawberries by defining social best practices in dialogue with relevant stakeholders and by supporting producers in the implementation process.