Corporate Social Responsibility
As a partner of MVO Nederland Verstegen Spices & Sauces contributes, both inside and outside the company, actively to corporate social responsibility.
Verstegen has defined an own definition for CSR: "CSR is the business strategy with focus on people, environment, society and continuity in balance." Satisfied customers and a high, constant product quality, are central.
CSR is a process, not a destination. The goals pursued change in time and with every business decision. There is continuous search for achievable steps to ensure and shape the social responsibility.
SUB AREAS
People
These include themes on social ethics and human resources but also on society at large. Examples include protection of human rights, gender relations, discrimination, participation and conduct. In underdeveloped countries examples are child labor and Fair Trade.
Environment
For this purpose achievements are calculated in the area of the environment in general: environmental care, supply chain management, cleaner production and sustainable development. For a long time Verstegen has been very active in the field of the environment, from a deep respect for our own surroundings. For that reason all the obvious and less obvious measures are embedded in the organization and registered in an environmental report.
Society
Verstegen wishes to be an example for society when it comes to corporate social responsibility. Verstegen, for example has its own social working area where employees are examined on whether or not they are permitted to work be included in the regular production process. Verstegen also annually donates an amount of money to a (changing) charity. This also shows the social commitment of Verstegen.
FAIR TRADE
As part of this Verstegen continuously works on projects within Fair Trade and new projects in the context of CSR. The purchasing director of Verstegen is also chairman of the Dutch Association for the Spice Trade (NVS). In the past year a CSR working party was established within this association. Together with various partners within and outside the NVS, Verstegen is a forerunner in this process. These organizations include the Food Fair, MVO Nederland and IDH (Sustainable Trade Initiative). The purpose of the workgroup is to define a Fair Trade CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) standard in the spice industry. This standard should find an international connection and be accepted within the whole chain.