All Articles About Food, Beverage & Agriculture

BSR Insight Article: Sustainable Agricultural Supply Chains in China

Laura Ediger, Associate Director, Advisory Services

BSR’s new report, “Seeding Positive Impacts: How Business and Civil Society Can Contribute to the Sustainability of Chinese Agriculture,” features examples of private-sector and civil-society initiatives that address the environmental impacts of agricultural supply chains in China. These projects include: Read more →

Posted: June 8, 2010 | Topics: Food, Beverage & Agriculture

BSR Insight Article: Supplier Ownership: A Shared Vision for Responsible Supply Chains

Terry Nelidov, Former Manager, Advisory Services

In 2004, Human Rights Watch launched a high-profile documentary and international campaign accusing El Salvador’s sugar industry of condoning child labor. While many international buyers chose to pull out of the country, Coca-Cola opted to stay and join forces with the Sugar Association of El Salvador, the International Labour Organization, and others to face the challenge head on. Read more →

Posted: June 1, 2010 | Topics: Food, Beverage & Agriculture, Strategy & Integration, Supply Chain

Case Study: AgroAmérica: Improving Productivity Through Better Communication

AgroAmérica, one of Guatemala’s largest commodity crop companies, employs more than 8,000 plantation workers. Two of its banana farms have faced chronic work stoppages due to the generally poor relationship between the company, its employees, and the farm’s trade union. This has contributed to the farms’ low productivity as compared to other company farms, despite significantly better growing conditions. Deep mistrust between workers and company management is widespread in Guatemala and remains potent despite the end of the long civil war 15 years ago. This mistrust frequently results in ineffective dialogue and, thus, frequent work stoppages on unionized farms. Learn more →

Posted: June 1, 2010 Topics: Food, Beverage & Agriculture

BSR Insight Article: Nestlé Waters’ Design for Communities: Reorienting From Water to People

Julia Nelson, Former Manager, Advisory Services Linda Hwang, Former Manager, Research

When we work with companies to integrate sustainability into their operations, we usually provide actionable advice that corporate managers can put into practice the very next day. Yet, in some ways, focusing on the tactics means losing sight of the “lived experience” of the individuals who are trying to envision and advocate for a new way of doing business. Indeed, achieving sustainability is a cultural transformation that reshapes the way corporate managers think about their daily responsibilities. Read more →

Posted: March 23, 2010 | Topics: Community Engagement & Development, Environment, Food, Beverage & Agriculture, Water

BSR Insight Article: Virtual Sustainability Summit Showcases Smart ICT

"Smart ICT" is the first in a groundbreaking virtual event series focusing on sustainability in the information and communications technology (ICT) sector. The event—co-sponsored by BSR—will feature an innovative format with virtual auditoriums for presentations, meeting rooms for networking, and an exhibit hall. International thought leaders, policymakers, advocacy groups, and experts will discuss concrete strategies on how the ICT sector can provide profitable opportunities and solutions to create a low-carbon society. Read more →

Posted: March 2, 2010 | Topics: Consumer Products, Environment, Food, Beverage & Agriculture, Information & Communications Technology, Supply Chain, Transportation