At least 85% of HAK’s vegetables and legumes were certified in 2021 with the independent sustainability label “On the Way to Planet Proof.” We are the first company in the fresh-processed vegetables category to be authorized to use this top-tier label.
We’re naturally very proud of this, because earning this label is no small feat. It requires close collaboration with our growers and impacts the processes in our factory, product development, packaging, and our partnerships with distribution partners.
The “On the Way to Planet Proof” label from SMK (Stichting Milieukeur) is an independent sustainability label that proves (“proof”) that you, as a consumer, are buying a product that has been grown and produced in a more sustainable way and is therefore better for nature, the environment, and the climate. This top-tier label is awarded only to farmers, gardeners, and producers who grow, produce, and process their products in this sustainable manner and must meet various strict requirements that exceed legal standards. All these requirements are verified by external, independent parties.
It is a process of continuously taking further steps to reduce our impact on the Earth (“On the way to…”). The strength of this certification lies in its broad scope and its focus on sustainability at every stage of the supply chain—from farm to table.
To meet the strict requirements of the “On the Way to Planet Proof” certification program, growers must comply with 36 requirements and make adjustments to various aspects of the cultivation process. This primarily involves improving soil fertility, using fewer and more natural crop protection products, and controlling weeds mechanically as much as possible. But “On the way to Planet Proof” also sets additional requirements regarding issues such as proper water management and promoting biodiversity in and around the growing area.
Our growers who operate according to the “On the way to Planet Proof” criteria—and thus invest in more sustainable cultivation—are rewarded with extra compensation. We greatly appreciate the sustainability efforts they must make. As a result, the additional costs they incur to grow crops according to these criteria are fully compensated. These additional costs often vary by crop.
From now on, when you buy an “On the way to PlanetProof” certified product from HAK, you can be sure that the contents were grown more sustainably and have a more positive environmental impact.
In other words: less nitrogen and phosphate through reduced fertilizer use, healthier and more fertile soil, limited use of crop protection products, cleaner surface water, and more beneficial insects and birds in the fields, which, as natural predators of pests, contribute to healthy crops. In addition, the incentive measures under the “On the Way to PlanetProof” program lead to lower energy and water consumption.
Would you like to learn more about “On the Way to PlanetProof” and the minimum criteria our growers must meet? Then visit www.planetproof.eu.
