Photo courtesy of Canada Beef
Company tripling initial purchase to three million pounds by 2023
On December 16, 2021, Loblaw Companies Ltd. made a significant sustainable beef sourcing commitment, providing a further signal of demand for beef from Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (CRSB) Certified farms and ranches.
The CRSB is pleased to announce that Loblaw Companies Ltd. is expanding its commitment to beef sustainability in Canada with a purchase of three million additional pounds of beef sourced from CRSB Certified Sustainable farms and ranches by 2023, tripling its initial purchase of one million pounds in 2020. With this latest commitment, Loblaw is reaffirming not only the importance of sustainably-raised food options for its customers, but also its unwavering support of Canadian farmers and ranchers dedicated to sustainable practices on the ground. The beef will be purchased from CRSB Certified farms in partnership with the Ontario Corn Fed Beef program, according to standards set by the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef.
"Today’s announcement reaffirms our long-term commitment to help advance sustainability in the beef supply chain in Canada. As both a retailer and a founding member of CRSB, our hope is that more beef producers will embrace certification of their on-farm practices that meet CRSB standards for sustainability." - Simon Romano, Vice President of Fresh Procurement, Meat, Seafood and Deli for Loblaw Companies Ltd.
"CRSB appreciates the ongoing support from a large grocery retailer like Loblaw, committed to working collaboratively with the beef industry in support of our sustainable practices, and sharing that story with Canadian consumers. This robust commitment will show our community of beef producers that Loblaw values their dedication, and is serious about working with them to make real progress." - Anne Wasko, Chair of the CRSB
Loblaw is working with its supply chain partners toward a system where at least 30 per cent of the beef it sources will be CRSB certified and will be incorporated into Loblaw’s overall beef purchases for its Ontario Corn Fed Beef brand, sold in Ontario stores.
Sourcing even a portion of beef from farmers and ranchers that have had their sustainable practices independently audited against standards provides consumer assurances about how their food is raised, supports ongoing improvements, and signals the importance of Canada’s agricultural system for climate change mitigation and its role in a sustainable food system.
"The blueprint for the Ontario Corn Fed Beef program has been our commitment to on-farm quality assurances. That commitment starts with our producers, includes our processors and Loblaws, our exclusive retail partner where those assurances are passed along to the consumers who buy our branded beef products to serve their families. The partnership between Ontario Corn Fed Beef, CRSB and Loblaws provides local Ontario beef producers with an opportunity to supply beef produced according to standards set by the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef and provides Canadian beef farmers an opportunity to be recognized for their dedication to responsible and sustainable beef production." - Jim Clark, Executive Director of Ontario Cattle Feeders Association and the Ontario Corn Fed Beef program
To learn more about the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef, visit crsbcertified.ca