So Delicious Dairy Free launches coconut farmer support program
Good People Loop launched with a commitment to empower coconut farmer partners to adopt more sustainable practices like intercropping, composting and mulching organic matter, which improves their crop yields. The program aims to increase crop yields by 50% and increase coconut farmer income by 100% over the next five years.
The global coconut products industry is projected to reach $31.1bn by 2026. However, despite the growing market for coconut-based products, many coconut farmers often live in poverty due to declining crop yields and a lack of transparency in the supply chain. So Delicious Dairy Free said it is committed to improving the well-being and profitability of its supply chain partners, starting with coconut farmers in the Philippines.
“So Delicious Dairy Free is committed to doing #MoreThanTheMinimum to ensure that our farmer partners in the Philippines are able to thrive in their local economy,” said Deanna Bratter, head of sustainable development, Danone North America.
“As a leader in plant-based offerings for more than 30 years, we believe it’s our responsibility to go beyond solely providing delicious, dairy-free products to do some good in the world. We believe in the possibilities of making positive social and environmental impacts, especially when everyone has an equitable seat at the table.”
In partnership with Livelihoods Fund for Family Farming (L3F) and Integrated Rural Development Fund (IRDF), Good People Loop works directly with 1,000 coconut farmers in the Philippines to better understand their needs and challenges, offering education and helping provide solutions to ultimately increase farmer income.
“We’re proud to partner with So Delicious and Livelihoods Fund for Family Farming (L3F) to bring this program to life for coconut famers in the Philippines,” said Arze Gilpo, executive director of the IRDF.
“IRDF supports the organizing of cooperatives and economic associations of small-scale farmers on the ground. The Good People Loop program aligns with our people-centered approach to sustainable development and promoting livelihood resiliency in the region.”
The new program builds on Danone North America’s commitment to fostering decent work and inclusive growth within the company’s value chain, in alignment with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development goals.
