In 2006 a group of Citrusdal growers (Western Cape, South Africa) came together to start a more direct approach to Citrus marketing. The approach was to manage the logistical chain to deliver fresh fruit as quickly as possible to customers all around the world. This developed into a fully operational export company that now supply various Citrus (Clementines, Mandarins, Lemons, Oranges & grapefruit) as well as various Stonefruit. (Nectarines, Peaches & Apricots) to supermarkets, wholesale markets and importers in various countries.
Social responsibility and sustainability are high priority for the group. All necessary actions are taken to comply to supermarkets expectations. GlobalG.A.P., SIZA Social and Environmental and BRC certification are some of the accreditations in place across the board. Carbon footprints are monitored, and all measures are in place to reduce on a yearly basis. Farms are 4th and 5th generation ownership, and in most cases, the operating staff and workers are also 4th and 5th generation.
Everseason further believes in high family values and building the business with the people involved.
The Confronting Climate Change carbon calculator has made it easier to confirm our biggest concerns and help us to streamline our way of working going forward – Everseason
Everseason commits to: reducing carbon footprints by phasing out non-renewable energy and phasing in renewable energy on farms, packhouses, offices and housing, improving water use efficiency for each cultivar/variety produced, conserving natural ecosystems to maximise ecosystem services, reducing water consumption on farms and in packhouses, controlling the spread of invasive alien plants on farms especially near water sources, no overexploitation of resources, reducing reliance on synthetic fertilisers and improving soil health, and the adoption of green technologies.
Many of the producers have also begun phasing in solar power with at least 2.4MW of solar panels and 3MW of Battery capacity in use. At least one producer relies solely on renewable energy, and one has removed the need for grid electricity in the de-greening process which has resulted in a 50% saving on grid electricity costs. Everseason producers, in general, are heavily invested in solar energy with some farms powering their offices, housing, packhouses, cold stores, and workshops entirely on solar energy rather than grid electricity. The use of solar energy also allows for the producers to be minimally affected by loadshedding and the reliance on diesel generators to power operations during loadshedding.
Everseason encourages its producers not to rely on generators and rather invest in solar energy to power operations especially during loadshedding. Producers who have invested in solar energy are able to continue operations as normal without being impacted by loadshedding. Diesel and petrol usage to work around loadshedding is the largest portion of emissions in farming operations and remains the most avoidable using renewable energy sources. Everseason acknowledges that the use of diesel/petrol is unavoidable in their operations at this point in time. These fossil fuels are needed to operate machinery, for farm management, transport of labour, deliveries to packhouses and for export.
Everseason encourages its producers to adopt integrated pest management techniques and increase soil organic matter. The producers are encouraged to opt for organic fertilisers where possible as well as compost and mulch to increase organic matter and create healthy living soils on which to farm.
Water is becoming an increasingly scarce resource, especially in the Citrusdal/Clanwilliam areas, which receive an annual rainfall of between 332 to 621mm. As the Western Cape experiences rain in the winter, water storage and harvesting have become a major focus in water management for Everseason producers in conjunction to reducing consumption. This is viewed as a necessity for successful farming operations in these areas rather than a conservation effort. Some actions taken by Everseason producers to save water are: Rainwater harvesting, Ergonomically timed irrigation, use of drip and/ micro-irrigation, selecting and planting rootstocks in line with water availability as well as soil health and characteristics. Extracting water from water sources within their allocations and as licensed, applying mulch to soils, restructuring dams for water storage to reduce the surface area and increase depth to minimize water loss by evaporation.
Everseason producers are discouraged from burning their waste and are instead encourage to send waste to landfill as a last resort. All packhouses send packing material waste for recycling. Everseason commits to: Minimising the production of waste where practical and necessary, identifying and segregating different types of waste to dispose of each of them in the most environmentally friendly way, re-using or upcycling waste where possible, recycling of waste is compulsory for producers who have access to the required resources and municipal services, disposing of waste in landfills as a last resort, however, disposal at landfill is preferable to burning waste, and promoting the composting of organic waste for use in soil management.
As soil is a vital aspect affecting plant nutrition and crop health, it is important for our producers to focus on improving soil health and reducing the use of chemicals and fertilisers. Everseason aims to reduce the use of synthetic fertilisers. To achieve this, Everseason encourages its producers to adopt integrated pest management techniques and increase soil organic matter. The producers are encouraged to opt for organic fertilisers where possible as well as compost and mulch to increase organic matter and create healthy living soils on which to farm.
Everseason’s producers are located in the Citrusdal and Clanwilliam areas within the fynbos biome of South Africa. These areas lie mainly on Olifants sandstone fynbos, Swartland shale renosterveld, and Leipoldtville sandstone fynbos. Swartland shale renosterveld is a critically endangered vegetation type and Leipoldtville sandstone fynbos is endangered. Everseason encourages its producers to protect natural ecosystems and threatened species that occur in and around their farms. Everseason commits to: protecting water and other natural resources, rehabilitation of destroyed and degraded ecosytems, not developing virgin soils for agriculture, creating wildlife corridors and stepping stone habitats where possible, sustainable management of soils and water, collaboration with conservation bodies and neighbours to conserve threatened species, abiding by the environmental laws and regulations of South Africa and multi-lateral agreements on conservation and sustainability.
Through this digital recognition platform, we celebrate the Carbon Heroes taking part in the Confronting Climate Change (CCC) Initiative for their considerable effort in calculating and understanding their carbon emissions.
Each Carbon Hero has their own digital QR code that can be displayed on their website and other marketing material, linking directly to their individual profile on the Carbon Heroes website.
The QR code provides a simple and innovative way for customers to learn about each Carbon Hero’s carbon offsetting and other sustainability initiatives, as well as engage with them on social media and other marketing channels.
With the Carbon Heroes QR code we aim to support a global transition towards sustainable development by recognising and celebrating the positive environmental impact of each Carbon Hero. By having a transparent display of their commitment to reducing emissions, Carbon Heroes demonstrate their dedication to a sustainable future, while building trust in their brand.
Find out more about the Carbon Heroes and CCC
Carbon Heroes is a recognition platform built on the ethos of transparency and trust. While only emissions datasets graded by Blue North qualify for the platform, we do not independently verify all the information our Heroes choose to post. By signing up to the platform each Carbon Hero acknowledges that they are responsible for the information they share and that, by sharing their sustainability credentials, their information is in the public domain and open to be scrutinised. We welcome such scrutiny. We have a clear set of guidelines for the use of the platform and the qualification for the various digital labels, and reserve the right to revoke the use of the platform where it is found these guidelines are not being followed and/or the information posted is misaligned with the stated ethos. Thank you for helping us maintain the integrity of the Carbon Heroes platform and our efforts to promote greater transparency and sustainability.
