Sustainability
Gemüsering goes zero
Pioneers when it comes to climate neutrality
Gemüsering Stuttgart is the first company in the ‘fresh vegetables and fruit’ sector committed to consistently pursuing climate neutrality at its own site and along the supply chain.
Participation in the “ZNU goes zero” programme
The Centre for Sustainable Leadership at Witten/Herdecke University (ZNU for short) emphasises the pioneering role of Gemüsering in the field of ‘sustainable management’. Here, we pursue the goal of continuously reducing emissions; unavoidable emissions are offset via compensation programmes at company or product level together with ‘Plant for the Planet’ and ‘Climate without Borders’. Beside this, more than 21,000 trees have been planted since 2019 together with ‘Plant for the Planet’ as compensation for emissions at company level in order to sequester CO2 in the long term. Certified according to the ZNU standard since 2017, we are subject to neutrality monitoring. We always take the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into account in our corporate decisions.
Further information on the compensation programmes:
Sustainable management
Our guidelines
Sustainable management
Goals and achievements
Gemüsering
ZNU-certified
The ZNU standard for sustainable management allows Gemüsering to make an active and measurable contribution to sustainable changes in the economy and society step-by-step.
1.
certified company in the fruit+veg sector
14
Gemüsering locations already certified
16
Gemüsering locations certified by the end of 2022
18
Gemüsering locations planned by 2023
Organic agriculture is important to us
Gemüsering has been organically certified for over 10 years and produces and markets organic fruit and vegetables with passion.
Inspection body DE-ÖKO-060
Interview
Sustainability at Gemüsering
Sustainability has been practised in the company for years. In a short interview, our sustainability officer, Dr Thorsten Strissel reveals what tasks and challenges he faces when it comes to this important topic.
Go to interview
CREATING THE FUTURE!
Avoiding food waste
We love to appreciate the value of people and nature. For that reason, we’re keen to take part in various initiatives that help to reduce food waste. Fruit and vegetables that fail to meet requirements and standards can thus find an alternative route to our plates. For example, Schwäbische Tafel e.V. drops in at our cold storage facility every day and picks up ‘surplus goods’ for its food banks in the region. At etepetete, end consumers can order bio-boxes filled with different combinations of goods. We are also happy to support our customers’ concepts and supply them with ‘B-goods’ for their sustainable labels, such as ‘Die etwas anderen’ or ‘Krumme Dinger’.
For an extra portion of fruit and vegetables
As part of the EU school programme, we supply schools with fresh, locally grown fruit and vegetables. This gives the children a taste of these fresh foods and allows them to learn at an early age how to integrate them into their everyday diet. Through the educational support of the programme, children learn more about where the food comes from, the variety of products and how to eat a balanced diet. They also improve important food skills.
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Modern tomato cultivation
The greenhouse in Zorbau draws its energy from a microgrid network, making it a pioneer in Germany. Microgrids are self-sufficient sufficient island networks that do not burden the public power grid – therefore becoming increasingly important for the energy transition. In 2020, we set up a full LED lighting system for our cultivational processes. Thanks to this, we have been able to reduce energy consumption by approx. 25%, compared to conventional lighting systems. Also in 2020, we avoided producing 1,326 tonnes of CO2 emissions, by using 100% green electricity at all Gemüsering Group locations.
Ressource-saving cultivation
Together with Rheinlandgemüse Hydro, we are setting a new hydroponic greenhouse facility into operation for resource-saving lettuce cultivation. Cultivating lettuces in a closed system saves 70% water compared to outdoor production and also eliminates all types of soil contamination.
FORWARD-LOOKING
RESEARCH FOR THE FUTURE
In collaboration with the Weihenstephan-Triesdorf University of Applied Sciences (HSWT), a vertical farming container provided by Gemüsering is being used to scientifically support indoor farming as part of various projects. The Weihenstephan-Triesdorf University of Applied Sciences has received a Growtainer for research and training purposes. The HSWT researches, among other things, product quality and resource efficiency in plant production in indoor farming systems”.
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Renewable energy for production
Gemüsering already uses many existing roof areas to generate energy at almost all of our production sites. The electricity from the photovoltaic systems at the Friedrichskoog location covers 15% of the requirements to operate the cold-storage rooms and is fed in directly. This produces savings of around 50 tonnes of CO₂. Ideal conditions near to the North Sea coast make the operation of our own wind power plants efficient and ensure energy supply, even during the darker months of the year.
Green Energy solar park
Green Energy, the affiliate of the Gemüsering Group, operates photovoltaic systems in Germany. Through large-scale solar panel installations on the roofs of Gemüsering’s production and marketing buildings, Green Energy produces solar energy which is not only used for its own needs but is also fed into the public grid.
Quality based on conviction
Quality management starts with the supervision of production in the field and extends to answering enquiries from end consumers – for example, regarding optimal storage of the products after purchase. It supports our producers and suppliers in choosing suitable varieties and helps them with questions about certifications; it evaluates the goods during incoming and outgoing procedures, and tests their shelf life and optimal packaging. These activities are aimed at maintaining quality in terms of appearance and taste – from the harvested product through to the end consumer.
Quality rule #1
Be active rather than reactive
Be active rather than reactive – The quality management team at Gemüsering relies on the early detection of the latest developments in order to actively counteract production if necessary and to ensure legal security for all those involved in the supply chain. We consider product security in every respect an obligation.
Quality rule #2
Quality management
Quality management is an integral part of our corporate philosophy that is constantly evolving. It starts with the supervision of production in the field and extends to answering enquiries from end consumers. It supports our producers and suppliers in choosing suitable varieties and helps them with questions about certifications; it evaluates the goods during incoming and outgoing procedures, and tests their shelf life and optimal packaging. These activities are aimed at maintaining quality in terms of appearance and taste – from the harvested product through to the end consumer.
Quality rule #3
Share experience
In order to ensure the high quality of our products, we meet the standards of certifications required by the trade. We actively incorporate our experience from production, marketing and trade to the various committees of QS Qualität und Sicherheit GmbH, GlobalG.A.P., the DFHV, the Regionalfenster e. V. or product advisory boards.
Qualität rule #4
Responsible use of resources
The activities of our company are aimed at the long-term conservation of essential resources. The focus is on different areas, depending on the growing region. These include the use of renewable energies in production and storage locations, as well as measures to reduce energy consumption or the sustainable use of water and measures to promote biodiversity.
Quality rule #5
Support the natural balance
When dealing with any questions relating to sustainability, a dialogue must be established between everyone involved in order to strive for a balance of ecological, social and economic aspects. It is only through cooperation along the supply chain that further developments can be made in all areas such as production, logistics and society.
Memberships
The activities of our employees in quality management include: membership in the national technical working groups of GlobalG.A.P, in the SHC GRASP at GlobalG.A.P, on the QS Qualität und Sicherheit GmbH advisory board, in various work groups of QS Qualität und Sicherheit GmbH, and participation in the product advisory council of the state of Baden-Württemberg, as well as Regionalfenster board membership.
Certifications
In order to ensure the high quality of our products, we meet the standards of certifications required by the trade. We actively incorporate our experience from production, marketing and trade into the various committees of QS Qualität und Sicherheit GmbH, GlobalG.A.P., the DFHV, the Regionalfenster e. V. or product advisory boards.
Contact
Gemüsering Stuttgart GmbH
Langwiesenweg 30 (Großmarkt)
70327 Stuttgart
Tel. (+49) 711 / 16865 0
Fax (+49) 711 / 16865 99