Ridne Food Consortium Special

This week's Sustainability Showcase is a very special edition, celebrating the work currently being done by FuturePlus member Ridne Food Consortium.

“I’m even more convinced that we have more to learn from Ukraine’s attitude to building resilient and sustainable businesses than anywhere else.” - Mike Penrose on returning from Ridne Food Consortium visit in Ukraine

Ridne Food Consortium

Since last December, FuturePlus has been working with the Ridne Food Consortium to measure, monitor, and report on its sustainability performance.

Established in March 2022, during the full-scale Russian invasion, the Ridne Food Consortium is a distinctive ecosystem, uniting small—and medium-sized Ukrainian farmers and food factories in a unique alliance.

The consortium comprises 20 small and medium farms (ranging from 15 to 10,000 hectares).

"We are proud that this partnership is the only planned production our members have and is the only well-planned food production in Ukraine.”

Located in the heart of Ukraine, specifically the Cherkasy and Poltava regions, we grow and supply the raw materials for humanitarian food parcels.

The diverse range of produce includes wheat, barley, yellow peas, sunflowers, buckwheat, herbs, sugar beets, green peas, sweetcorn, chicken, turkey, and milk. By embracing regenerative farming practices, the consortium strives to maximise and sustain a positive impact, while minimising the drawbacks often associated with traditional farming methods.

“I sincerely thank you for your efforts, attitude to our common cause and desire to help people who suffered from this terrible war.” - Halyna Skipalska, PhD , Executive Director, HealthRight International .

Why Supermarkets and Consumers need to buy Ukrainian

If anyone reading this (particularly big supermarkets and retailers) and would like to stock ISO-certified, EU/UK/US quality-controlled, competitively priced Ukrainian products that will put real meaning to the E and the S in your ESG programmes, then let us know ASAP.?

Ukrainians don’t want your charity; they want to compete with the best producers around the world for your business and for real economic sustainability during this tremendously challenging time. So, perhaps you could match their example by showing a real commitment to social impact and give them a chance to bid as a supplier??

They really do have world class produce, and some huge foundations are ready to help them scale and de risk their supply chain. And after the week I’ve spent there, it is difficult to find an argument against buying Ukrainian.

Mike reflects on his trip and shares his insights on the extraordinary organisation and the resilient people who are working under the toughest conditions.?

Read Mike's full article here.

Impact Report?

Mike's trip included speaking at Ridne Food Consortium’s annual conference in Kyiv, which saw the publication of the organisation’s first ever impact report.

Highlights include:

?? Over 2 million food parcels delivered

?? 50% increase in parcels per month over the last year

???? 1,500,000 UAH invested into social projects?

?? 15% of employees are internally displaced people?

You can read the full report here .

?? “We are extremely happy to be in a program partnership with FuturePlus. We needed to have a program partner as sustainability practices are a very new thing for Ukraine and our companies. By our example we want to show a new approach for production. We feel constant support and guidance from the FuturePlus team, and the platform helps us to understand what we need to modernise, as well as create a clear roadmap of actions.” - Serhii Kovalchuk, Deputy Director, RIDNE Food Consortium

The Ridne Consortium is partnered with Global Empowerment Mission , The Howard G. Buffett Foundation , USAID , World Vision , HealthRight International , Alliance2015 , Welthungerhilfe (WHH) , Human Bridge Stiftelse , Mission Eurasia , Stiftelsen THK and Inter Prosperity.

The Ridne Food Consortium’s Story

???? “The war shouldn't be an obstacle for us”

Serhii Kovalchuk, Deputy Director of the Ridne Food Consortium, previously joined our co-founders, Alexandra Smith and Mike Penrose , to discuss the consortium's background and how it came to be established.

?? Listen to Serhii's and the Ridne Food Consortium's story here .

IMPACT CERTIFIED

The products which the Ridne Food Consortium produces and distributes have been IMPACT CERTIFIED by FuturePlus. The products are distributed in Ukraine to war-affected families and exported, bringing in much-needed revenue into the country.

?? IMPACT CERTIFIED Ridne Food Consortium goods have been used by Global Empowerment Mission to provide 150 million meals so far.

?? “RIDNE Food Consortium is a shining example of how businesses can prioritise resilience and sustainability, regardless of the circumstances. We are proud to collaborate with such an inspiring and visionary partner.” - Mike Penrose, Co-Founder and Partner, FuturePlus

If your business if interested in stocking ISO-certified, EU/UK/US quality-controlled, competitively priced Ukrainian products that will put real meaning to the E and the S in your ESG programmes, please get in touch: [email protected]