Responsible - Locally and Globally

DOLE^® GO Organic! is brought to you by Dole Ireland. Dole is committed to ensuring best agronomic and sustainable practices are in place right across our supply chain from seed to store, farm to fork. Empowering consumers to make the choice to ‘ GO Organic! is an important component of that commitment. So too is reducing our environmental footprint, ensuring human rights and doing business in the right way. You can find out more about our global approach to sustainability, here

The Dole Way

Proud to be Irish, we’re committed to being a positive, constructive presence in the communities in which we grow, trade, live, work and play right across the island of Ireland. Our strategy is called ‘The Dole Way.’

Origin Green

Stakeholder Engagement
Dole Ireland is a proud member of Origin Green, Ireland’s pioneering food and drink sustainability programme. Recognised as the world's only national sustainability initiative of its kind, Origin Green enables businesses in the fresh produce sector to set and achieve measurable sustainability targets, ensuring both environmental stewardship and community enrichment.

At Dole Ireland, we are dedicated to safeguarding the integrity and security of our fresh produce supply, thus ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come. This is achieved through our initiatives in energy management, water conservation, biodiversity, community engagement, and diversity and inclusion .

Climate Action

For Nature
In Dole, we have been working hard to reduce the carbon emissions associated with our operations. In 2018, we transitioned the electricity supply across each of our national departments to renewable energy - delivering a reduction in emissions of some 65% overall. In 2022 and 2023, we began installing solar panels at our facilities, beginning with our facility in Belfast and then our Foodservice Distribution Hub in Balbriggan. The work continues.

Water Stewardship

For Nature
At a global level, Dole are working to identify water-related risks and are committed to ensuring best practices are adhered to on the farms from which we source our produce. Here at home, Dole Ireland’s distribution sites are predominantly ‘dry sites’ with relatively low water consumption. As part of our Origin Green membership, we are nevertheless working to reduce water consumption further. On our Irish production sites, we are also working to reduce water use.

In 2022, for example, our Uniplumo business invested in a 750,000 L roof water harvesting and storage reservoir infrastructure which was integrated to the existing 1.25 million litres roof water storage reservoir. The site is now 100% independent of any requirement from public mains water supply (other than the canteen) and all plants grown at the Wyestown Nursey are grown in a closed loop irrigation system. Annually, +/-40,000,000 L of water are collected from the roof and piped to storage in large outdoor reservoirs.

Waste & Packaging

For Nature
In Dole, marketing perishable produce as we do, we have always been very conscientious when it comes to minimising waste across our operations. Waste is closely monitored from farm to fork. We’re always looking to find alternate uses for the little food waste that we do generate. We also strive to inspire and empower consumers to minimise their produce waste associated with fruits and vegetables across our communications platforms. See www.doleireland.com for recipes ideas for using up leftover produce.

A proud member of REPAK, we know too that Irish consumers are very concerned about unnecessary use of plastic packaging on fresh produce. We continuously review our use of plastic, removing or replacing it wherever possible and offering sustainable alternatives on the retail shelf. Right across our GO Organic! range we are committed to using recyclable or compostable packaging wherever it is practical to do so.

Biodiversity

For Nature
Biodiversity is of utmost importance to Dole Ireland, as it underpins the health and productivity of our ecosystems. As business supporters of the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan, we are committed to taking evidence-based actions that protect and promote pollinator populations. The All-Ireland Pollinator Plan Business Framework is fully inclusive, enabling businesses of all sizes to contribute to the preservation of biodiversity. Through our involvement, we aim to foster a thriving natural environment that supports sustainable agriculture and enhances the well-being of our communities. In addition to these measures, in 2024 we launched an innovative pilot programme that will see us profile biodiversity on our own farms and those of selected third party growers via satellite.

Worker Welfare

For People
At Dole Ireland, we strive to promote and support the well-being of all our employees. With that in mind, in October 2020 we introduced our Group Employee Assistance Programme across Ireland. This initiative is ongoing and provides immediate access to a specialist information portal and fully qualified, accredited counsellors to any colleagues in need of further support. This free, confidential resource is administered and operated by a third party and the service is available to all employees and their immediate families. Though important, our EAP is only one component of a suite of initiatives we roll out each year to promote employee health and well-being.

Community Engagement

For People
A unique feature that sets Dole Ireland apart is our network of local depots spread out across the island of Ireland. Our businesses and people are consequently deeply embedded in the communities we serve. At Dole, we’re committed to playing a positive role in everyday life. Not only do we provide local employment and work with local growers across the country, but we also contribute to local communities, sponsoring local football, rugby and GAA clubs, such as Dundalk Football Club. We also run a series of campaigns to promote healthy eating in schools and workplaces and support a variety of worthy charitable causes throughout the year.

Responsible Procurement

For Food
At Dole, we are committed to ensuring the highest agronomic and sustainable practices from seed-to-store as we source the finest fresh produce from around the globe. At home in Ireland, it’s no different. We prioritise local produce. Across our +170 years’ operating in Ireland, we have nurtured a national network of local growers, some of whom we have been working with for generations. We take care to put ‘Local Produce First’, prioritising locally grown produce where it is available, commercially viable and environmentally responsible to do so. Across Ireland, we provide agronomic assistance to help local growers achieve the quality standards and accreditations necessary in the modern marketplace. We also offer financial, logistical, and operational support to ensure local produce reaches consumers in pristine condition. Additionally, we provide commercial, marketing, and promotional expertise and resources to place local produce at the heart of the portfolio we present to our customers nationwide.

Educating, inspiring and empowering consumers

For Food
Promoting fresh produce consumption and the pursuit of healthy diet is a priority for Dole. Here in Ireland, we work with our core stakeholders and through a variety of media to promote healthy eating. This is exemplified in the ‘Incredible Edibles’ Programme. Dedicated to educating, encouraging and inspiring young people to eat more fresh fruits and vegetables, Agri Aware’s ‘Incredible Edibles’ Programme operates in primary schools across Ireland. Promoting fresh produce to children in a fun, engaging and practical way, the programme gives children practical experience of growing fruits and vegetables at school and teaches the importance of eating seven or more portions of fruits and vegetables every day. Each year, over 1,300 schools and 48,000 students participate with each school receiving Growing Starter Kits for participating classes.

Sustainability

Taste first. Planet, always.