HOW IS SUSTAINABLE DIFFERENT FROM ORGANIC?
Sustainability considers the entire production system. While organic is great for focusing on the absence of chemicals, sustainability promotes better treatment for farmers, ensures the better use and protection of natural resources, and supports economic sustainability for farming communities. It’s the better way to feed the planet!
WHAT DOES RAINFOREST ALLIANCE CERTIFIED™ MEAN?
The Rainforest Alliance works with farmers on the front lines of the global movement to build food security through sustainable agriculture. Our farmers grow in a way that boosts crop yields, conserves forests and wetlands, protects water sources and nurtures soil health.
I WANT THE DETAILS. TELL ME MORE...
Being Rainforest Alliance Certified™ involves regular on-site audits of our farming practices. There are dozens of principles applied, but just a few include:
COMMUNITY RELATIONS
WATER CONSERVATION
Farms must implement policies for considering the interests of local populations and community groups regarding farm activities that could impact on their health, employment and natural resources.
Farms that use irrigation must employ mechanisms to precisely determine and demonstrate that the volume of water applied and the duration of the application is not excessive and wasteful.
ECOSYSTEM CONSERVATION
WILDLIFE PROTECTION
All existing natural ecosystems, both aquatic and terrestrial, must be identified, protected and restored through a conservation program.
All natural ecosystems that provide habitats for wildlife living on the farm must be protected and restored by farm management.
COMMUNITY RELATIONS
Farms must implement policies for considering the interests of local populations and community groups regarding farm activities that could impact on their health, employment and natural resources.
WATER CONSERVATION
Farms that use irrigation must employ mechanisms to precisely determine and demonstrate that the volume of water applied and the duration of the application is not excessive and wasteful.
ECOSYSTEM CONSERVATION
All existing natural ecosystems, both aquatic and terrestrial, must be identified, protected and restored through a conservation program.
WILDLIFE PROTECTION
All natural ecosystems that provide habitats for wildlife living on the farm must be protected and restored by farm management.
PACKAGING THAT'S REUSABLE AND RECYCLABLE
A sustainable food system is about more than just the fruit and the supply chain. Unfortunately, food packaging waste is one of the biggest contributors to waste in Australia. And much of that is plastic that can take up to a thousand years to decompose.
At Ra Food, we understand that recyclable packaging is essential to sustainability. So we’ve gone the extra mile to ensure our packaging is 100% recyclable and useful to reuse as Tupperware.
According to the Department of Environment and Energy, only 14% of plastic waste is actually recovered for recycling. As a responsible food producer, we want to do our part to improve the system.