Corporate Social Responsibility Report - Ahold

Banding together forresponsible cocoaAhold joined with several otherfood industry players in 2007 toinitiate a program to create a moresustainable cocoa supply chainin Ivory Coast. Launched withpartners including organizationsUtz Certified, Cargill andSolidaridad, the program aims tobuild capacity at farm level and,through independent certification,guarantees improved socialand environmental practices.Developing communitiesWe are committed to working with smaller suppliers indeveloping economies to help grow their businesses and givethem access to wider markets. Our goal is to provide ourcustomers with choices that satisfy their concerns aboutresponsible production while working to meet the needs of ourother stakeholders.The Ahold Sustainable Business Development (ASBD)program is an example of how we couple business withsocial responsibility. The program aims to help suppliers inthe developing world, particularly in Africa, to meet minimumstandards for production and quality so that they can accessmore developed markets. Several tropical products soldin Albert Heijn and ICA stores were facilitated by theASBD program.Through the project, our people are transferring knowledge andexpertise to African producers and manufacturers, and creatingsustainable business relationships. At the same time, our accessto organic and Fairtrade fruit and vegetables is enhanced. Forexample, Albert Heijn is targeting the ability to offer the consumera year-round assortment of combined fresh organic and Fairtradeproducts, often identifying vendors through the ASBD program.In September 2007, Albert Heijn and development organizationICCO expanded their cooperative efforts in Africa, announcing anew partnership with the organization FairMatch Support, whichencourages European companies to adopt more sustainabletrade practices. The partnership focuses on improving the livingconditions and future prospects for African fruit and vegetablegrowers. Through the newly established Albert Heijn Foundation,the company is financing projects in Africa.Albert Heijn, ICCO and FairMatch Support are working tostrengthen African fruit and vegetable purchasing in threeways: giving financial support to projects focusing on education,housing and health for fruit and vegetable growers; ensuringthat fruit and vegetable production for Albert Heijn in Africameets internationally accepted social standards; and, whereverpossible, supporting small-scale producers in providingfruits and vegetables to Albert Heijn’s African suppliers andsupply chains.Through the Ahold Sustainable BusinessDevelopment program, our people aretransferring knowledge and expertise toAfrican producers and manufacturers,and creating sustainable businessrelationships.22Ahold CSR Report 2007