SUSTAINABLE FARMING 

We want to contribute to – and shape – a sustainable food system that benefits our community well into the future, while managing our impact on people, animals and the environment. 

Over the last few decades, it’s become clear that we need to find ways to produce food and other raw materials more ethically and sustainably, in harmony with nature. Since most of our operational impact comes from farming and processing our products, we’ve made it a priority to work with our suppliers to make real, lasting changes in this regard. 

  • OUR GOAL

  • OUR PLAN IN ACTION

    How we’re driving sustainable farming and fishing

    We work closely with our suppliers and ensure that they understand our goals around sustainable farming and responsible sourcing, and are on board to help us work towards them. With this in mind, we’ve created sustainable farming, fishing, and animal welfare programmes, policies and guidelines to make sure that we’re always on the same page. 

    Farming for the Future

    Together with our local farmers, we believe in growing food in a sustainable way and in harmony with nature. By keeping the ecosystem resilient, using less waste and promoting healthy soil, we’re making sure future generations will continue to be able to grow their own food.

    Here are some of our most important milestones

    2004 - 2008

    Programme piloted with 12 suppliers.

    2009

    Official launch with 80 primary and 12 secondary suppliers.

    2010

    Finalist in the Agriculture category for the Mail and Guardian Greening the Future Awards.

    2011

    • 70% of primary produce suppliers certified.
    • Horticulture suppliers added to the programme.

    2012

    95% of primary fresh produce suppliers certified Wine suppliers added to the programme.

    2013

    Awarded the Sustainability Business Award within the Trade and Services Category in the inaugural Nedbank Capital Sustainable Business Awards.

    2014

    98% of primary fresh produce suppliers certified.

    2015

    • 98% of primary produce, horticulture and 40% of wine suppliers certified.
    • 141 primary and 92 secondary suppliers assessed.

    2016

    Water Footprint Index methodology finalised.

    2017

    Stanford PhD research study louds the farming for the Future programme for significant impact on uptake of good form management practices.

    2018

    331 Suppliers assessed, of which 195 are secondary suppliers.

    2019

    • 52% of core fresh produce and horticulture products certified.
    • 483 Suppliers on the programme, of which 304 are secondary suppliers.

    2020

    • 54% of Woolworths core produce and horticulture products certified.
    • Training module for small-scale farmers piloted.

    2021

    • 58% OF PRIMARY PRODUCE AND HORTICULTURE LINES CERTIFIED.
    • Farmers commenced implementation of an integrated pest-management programme, and moved over to biological products.

    WATCH THE VIDEO

    Fishing for the Future

    Our Fishing for the Future journey started in 2008, when Woolworths became the first South African retailer to sign the WWF-SA Sustainable Seafood Initiative (WWF-SASSI) Retail Charter. More than a decade later, we’re still deeply committed to procuring all seafood from sustainable fisheries and responsible farming operations.

    The programme has recently been refreshed and includes coverage of the economic, environmental, and social aspects of fishing. The programme has three pillars:
    Responsible sourcing
    Responsible consumption 
    Proactive transparency

    Here are some of our most important milestones

    2008

    • Woolworths was the first retailer in South Africa to sign the WWF Sustainable Seafood Retail Charter.
    • Developed a Sustainable Seafood Policy.

    2009

    • Official launch of the programme.
    • First major South African retailer to label seafood in accordance with SASSI'S green, orange and red system.

    2010

    • Introduced several new sustainable wild-caught fish species.
    • First retailer in South Africa to introduce DNA testing for species validation.

    2011

    • Launched MSC-certified, sustainable, local trawl-caught Cape Hake.
    • Stopped the procurement of longline caught Yellowfin Tuna.

    2012

    • Made a commitment that by 2015, all our wild-caught seafood would be either WWF-SASSI green isted, caught  from MSC lor equivalenti certified fisheries, or sourced from fisheries that are undertaking time-bound improvement projects.
    • Obtained MSC certification for our seafood counters.

    2015

    Developed a pocket-sized Sustainable Seafood Guide for customers.

    2016

    Made a commitment that by 2020, all aquaculture species sold will be either WWF-SASSI green-listed, ASC lor equivalenti certified, or from aquaculture operations that are engaged in a credible time-bound improvement project.

    2017

    • Launched the first MSC-certified sustainable canned tuna in South Africa.
    • Launched ASC-certified vannamei and black tiger prawns.

    2020

    Of the volume tonnagel of farmed species sold, 99% overal met the 2020 commitments and 98% of Woolworths' seafood met our wild-caught and aquaculture sustainability commitments.

    2021

    Launched the Fishing for the Future 2030 programme, with a focus on three pilars responsible sourcing, responsible
    consumption and proactive transparency.

    WATCH THE VIDEO

  • PLAYING YOUR PART

    Buy Woolies products labelled with Farming or Fishing for the Future, free range, Kinder to Sows or BWC logos.

    Find out more in our policies and position statements.

  • OUR SUSTAINABLE FARMING PROGRAMMES CONTRIBUTE TOWARDS THESE UNITED NATIONS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS

     

    • Clean water and sanitation.

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    • Affordable and clean energy

     

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    • Life below water.

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    • Life on land.

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    • Partnerships for the goals.

  • Find out more about our Good Business Journey and our sustainable farming programmes in our annual Good Business Journey report.