All hail vegetables without pesticide residue and organic vegetables!
To eat healthy daily, we know that we have to eat fruits and vegetables. Tasty, good for a balanced diet, they must also be good for the environment: growing sustainably is a know-how!
This is why Bonduelle has committed for many years to production methods that are respectful of the environment such as organic farming but also simplified and sustainable crop techniques respectful of the soils. “At the moment, 17% of our references are certified organic or without pesticide residue”, explains Caroline D., Product Manager. “Five times more than three years ago”, she adds. “If the first product featured was corn, it was quickly joined by peas and lentils. Lockdown has increased demand for healthy products - a criteria which has become number 2 when it comes to consumers’ choice. 19% of French people say they now buy more organic products than they used to.” As explained by Caroline D., “each year, several dozen of our partnering farmers benefit from advice and support in their conversion with technical advice from us and genuine support. It is a long term commitment for us.”
Since January 2019, Bonduelle also features several of its vegetables guaranteed without pesticide residue: ready-to-eat salads, canned corn, green beans, peas (canned and frozen) and preserved leaves spinach (frozen). It means that after analysis from a third party, no active pesticides were found - the quantifiable limit being 0.01mg/kg. To get this result, Bonduelle works with its partnering farmers in adapting the types of vegetables and the culture methods: plot choice, soil preparation, planting techniques - everything has a part to play to ensure quality and traceability. “This scientific and controlled proof of the absence of pesticide residue is a genuine guarantee for consumers - one that does not impact the product’s taste while supporting a farming approach respectful of the environment” explains Caroline D. As for products from organic farming, they meet other requirement specifications with legal implications using several means to ensure production quality: natural barriers, crop rotation, mechanical weed control, plant-based covers… It is an entire fan of farming solutions which is deployed to ensure the respect of organic farming practices and ecosystems. Long term commitments which will benefit all of us!