Organic Insights Magazine - Spring 2023

6 / Organic Insights / Spring 2023

ETHICAL RETA ILERS PLAY A MAJOR PART IN EDUCATING CONSUMERS AROUND CLA IMS OF SUSTA INABIL ITY IN THIS EDITION, WE SPEAK TO A COUPLE OF OUR

CERTIFIED RETAILERS, WHO NOT ONLY RECOGNISE THIS IMPORTANT ROLE, BUT ENSURE THAT EVERY ASPECT OF THEIR OWN OPERATIONS ARE ALIGNED TO BEST PRACTICE.

CACreative / Unsplash

Adelaide’s Finest Supermarkets, Frewville and Pasadena Foodland, have built a reputation as a leader in the grocery industry – supporting local producers, and placing sustainability at the core of its operations. The retailer continues to demonstrate its efforts across the group’s 2 stores, in Frewville and Pasadena.

commitment to improving performance, with the release of a formal Sustainability Plan that defines priorities in three key areas: Planet, Products and People. The company has also recruited a dedicated Sustainability Officer, Brian Johnston, to drive the company’s programs and help meet targets. Brian is well known in the waste management industry in South Australia, having previously worked with KESAB and BioBag Australia, and as the local Branch Support Officer for the Waste Management and Resource Recovery Association of Australia (WMRR). During his time with KESAB, Brian was aware of the development of the Sustainability Plan and was ready to ‘hit the ground running’ in what he describes as a ‘greenfields’ role. Brian’s job is to identify and drive all aspects of Adelaide’s Finest Supermarket’s sustainability

“This can include involvement in anything from product sourcing, to in-house presentation and packaging, consumer education, energy use and the management of waste,” he says. “My job is to work with the leadership team, to support departmental heads and key stakeholders across the group; to identify, encourage and promote whole-of-store sustainability initiatives.” Foodland’s Sustainability Plan includes a target of 75% of waste diversion from landfill, a move to 100% renewable energy use and a 20% reduction in water use. Food waste across the stores is currently diverted to Food Rescue and OzHarvest, and to composting facility, Jeffries for manufacture in their Jeffries Special Soil product.