The Rainforest Alliance is a non-governmental organisation that works with farmers on the front lines of the global movement to build food security through sustainable agriculture.
In recent years, concerns for the environment and sustainability have become increasingly prominent. Given this, certifications such as the Rainforest Alliance CertifiedTM are crucial in providing measurable and verifiable protection for the environment and providing improved conditions for farmers and their communities.
What does the Rainforest Alliance Do?
Rainforest Alliance operates at the intersection of farmers, forests and businesses to facilitate sustainable agricultural practices between these parties. The organisation seeks to conserve biodiversity and support sustainable livelihoods by transforming land-use practices, business practices, and consumer behaviour. The main channel for doing this is through the Rainforest Alliance CertifiedTM model.
The Rainforest Alliance certification process involves strict environmental, social and economic criteria, known as the Rainforest Alliance Sustainable Agriculture Standard. This guideline measures a farmer’s performance against clear criteria that encourage continuous improvement to promote sustainability on farms worldwide.
Rainforest Alliance certified farmers across some 60 countries globally use farming methods that increase crop yields, conserve forest and wetlands, protect water sources and nurture soil health. This certification process helps to promote sustainable farming, an all-inclusive farming approach that takes into account the entire production system.
Rainforest Alliance-authorized certification bodies audit farms and farm groups, and only those farms that meet the certification requirements earn the right to promote their achievement and market their products using the Rainforest Alliance CertifiedTM seal.
Rainforest Alliance Certified Achievements
Through their sustainable agriculture initiatives, the Rainforest Alliance has achieved the following tangible benefits:
- Over 1.3 million farms globally use Rainforest Alliance Certified methods, with the aim to protect ecosystems, workers and communities.
- Over 4.4 million hectares of land are under sustainable management
- Over $100 million has been earned by indigenous and forest communities as a result of Rainforest Alliance sustainable forest enterprise initiatives
- Over 1.3 million people have been trained in earth-friendly land management practices
- Over 100,000 students have studied the Rainforest Alliance environmental curriculum
Ongoing importance
While the reach of Rainforest Alliance and sustainable agriculture continues to grow, many environmental and social challenges loom larger than ever: rural poverty remains widespread, deforestation and ecosystem degradation continue apace, and climate change threatens our ability to feed a growing population. In this context, it is more important than ever to support farmers that are productive, efficient, and sustainable.
After several years of collaboration with a select number of farmers in Chile and Mexico, Rå is proud to bring to the first Rainforest Alliance CertifiedTM frozen fruits to Australian customers. In offering the first sustainably-grown frozen fruits to the market, customers can not only enjoy eat delicious and healthy produce, but in doing so also support positive change for important environmental and social causes.
References
Motherearthnews.com. (2019). [online] Available at: https://www.motherearthnews.com/nature-and-environment/rainforest-alliance-certification
Rainforest Alliance. (2019). About Us | Rainforest Alliance. [online] Available at: https://www.rainforest-alliance.org/about
Rainforest Alliance. (2019). Impact Dashboard | Rainforest Alliance. [online] Available at: https://www.rainforest-alliance.org/impact