A part of the solution in the search for healthier and more sustainable food consumption

With the Green Deal Protein shift, the Flemish government and a number of prominent food companies, including Greenyard, are striving to promote more sustainable diets. The goal: to reverse the ratio of vegetable proteins – now 40% – and animal proteins – now 60% – by 2030.

The Green Deal Protein Shift aligns entirely with our vision: helping people live healthier by enabling them to enjoy fruits and vegetables at any time in an easy, fast and pleasurable way, with respect for nature. Because legumes are an important component in the supply of plant-based proteins, we want to actively encourage their consumption by focusing on inspiration and convenience. We are already committed to convincing the various players in the supply chain of the health and environmental benefits of plant-based proteins. 

A healthy lifestyle and a sustainable diet

Greenyard is committed to promoting healthy lifestyles and sustainable diets. We contribute to this every day by supplying a wide range of fruit and vegetables which are sold fresh or processed into healthy products. The share of fruit and vegetables in our daily consumption patterns is currently far too low. We have to increase this share to achieve a more sustainable food chain. Within this food chain, we must also support a transition to more plant-based proteins. We believe that the objectives formulated by the Flemish government in its Green Deal Protein Shift fit in well.

The role of plant-based products

  Plant-based products have a smaller impact than animal products, both on the environment and on health:

• The production of plant-based food items and proteins has a strikingly lower impact on the environment than that of other food products. Livestock production, for example, requires much more land and water, leading to more greenhouse gas emissions and a nitrogen surplus; 
• plant-based foods such as legumes, fruits and vegetables also have a positive effect on diet-related illnesses such as cardiovascular disease and colon cancer.

Just like healthy vegetables and fruit, plant-based proteins from legumes like beans and peas, for example, ‘cost’ us a lot less. They are good for the climate, our health and our wallets.

Greenyard’s Green Deal commitment

At Greenyard, we want to contribute daily to a healthier lifestyle for current generations while taking care of future generations by minimising the impact on our only planet. As a result, this protein shift fits perfectly into our sustainability strategy in which climate action, water stewardship and responsible sourcing are central. We want to translate these objectives into action-oriented product developments and communication. Together with the other participants, we want this Green Deal Protein Shift to put 60% plant-based and only 40% animal proteins on consumers' plates by 2025.

Focus on legumes

First, we will focus on the consumption of legumes – an important component in the supply of plant proteins. Legumes have long been part of our range of prepared vegetables, but now you can also find them in our fresh and frozen products.

But we do not stop there: we want to convince our customers and other stakeholders to join us in the protein shift story. In doing so, we enable vegetable products to become standard elements of our diets more quickly, thus contributing to the shift from 40% to 60% plant-based proteins by 2030.

For this reason, we want to further expand our current range and adjust it to the increased demand for vegetable foods. User friendliness is our main innovation pillar. We are committed to putting the development of legume-based convenience meals on the agendas with our customers and partners, with a view to expanding our range during the period of the Green Deal. We also compose an annual overview of all product developments with legumes in the Fresh, Frozen and Prepared ranges for our customers.

Between 2021 and 2025, together with our partners, we are aiming for a healthy and balanced diet where the ratio of animal to plant-based proteins contributes to a sustainable world.

Curious to learn what you can do to foster a sustainable future? Click here for more information.