Nourish You, Nurture our Planet - the Sustainable Foods Journey

Sustainable Foods consumer facing brand is plan*t. The company has achieved rapid growth, with plan*t becoming a leading plant-based protein innovator and producer.

 Sustainable Foods Chief Executive Officer, Justin Lemmens shares how the company approaches their business practices through a sustainability lens across their extensive operations. 

With many consumers turning to a plant-based diet due to health and ethical reasons, the company saw a need for high-protein and better tasting products to deliver for this market. Sustainable Foods is on a journey to improve their sustainability practices for production. 

“We are working to establish a sustainability baseline and this fundamentally focuses around a carbon calculator. Looking at the carbon footprint of all areas of the business including stationary fuel, refrigeration gases, electricity/gas, freight, raw materials and packaging. It is a big process and includes a complex carbon calculator worksheet.”

“However, we need to dive down and be clear on our baseline position. Paint the picture of where we are now so you can record and track our sustainability progress. It needs to be defensible, so auditors can review our progress. Initially we are focused at a company wide level and then we will drill down to individual products carbon footprints. “

“As a company we have spent time understanding what sustainability means to the people we hold important. Engaging with business-to-business clients, funders, shareholders, staff, distributors and suppliers. Plus of course our consumers and ensuring we are listening to drive our sustainability framework and policies.”

It can be a challenging road for businesses with Lemmens saying what could be deemed best practice today is not always the same tomorrow.

“ Resource is always a challenge especially when you are an innovator. Stakeholders are looking for validation that requires research and an overall cohesive plan.”

“Sustainability is a rapidly developing area across the globe, information is not always reputable. We need time to validate sources and make sure we are making meaning full impact.”

“We are lucky to have a wealth of knowledge in our advisory board in the sustainability space. Internally, the team has a full time Sustainability Manager, who has a focus on leveraging and delivering best practice.” 

“You cannot have a business who delivers on sustainability unless that business is sustainable to operate in the future. You need to balance resources and take consumers and stakeholders with you on the journey.”