TOPIC:

Initiative

SUBMITTED FROM:

Delta Foods S.A.

DELTA is a leading food company specializing in good nutrition, with a legacy spanning over 70 years of delivering high-quality, innovative products that meet the changing nutritional needs of Greek consumers while also promoting the benefits of the Greek Mediterranean nutrition. DELTA’s extensive product portfolio includes milk, yogurt, juices, iced tea, plant-based options, and dairy products, maintaining a strong leadership presence across multiple categories. Guided by its commitment to environmental stewardship, social contribution, and responsible governance, DELTA creates added value for all its stakeholders, playing a pivotal role in the national economy and the prosperity of Greece. DELTA is a subsidiary of the Vivartia Group.

Objective Action

For DELTA, the sustainability of our food products is inextricably linked to the sustainability of primary production, as the quality and safety of our products depend on the farming practices adopted by agricultural producers and livestock farmers.

A healthy and sustainable primary sector ensures not only the availability and quality of food but also environmental protection, animal welfare, and the responsible use of natural resources. By adopting responsible and smart agricultural and livestock practices, we can create a cycle of sustainability that drives growth and long-term viability in the sector, ultimately benefiting the end consumers of our products.

At the same time, sustainable milk production – respecting both the environment and animal welfare – is one of the most critical challenges facing modern Greek livestock farming. In an era where environmental concerns and consumer expectations for high-quality, sustainable products are increasing, a responsible and sustainable approach to milk production is more essential than ever.

Dairy farming, constantly evolving and adapting to market conditions, requires not only technical expertise but also a comprehensive strategy that integrates various sustainability aspects. These include the responsible use of natural resources, waste management, efficient use of water, land, and feed, ensuring animal health, welfare, and safety, and implementing biosecurity measures at the farm level to minimize environmental impact.

Recognizing the challenges of modern Greek livestock farming and aiming to support dairy farmers, DELTA has been implementing the GAIA Action Plan since 2012. Through research, training, and technical support initiatives, this program promotes the sustainable and resilient development of the Greek dairy farming sector.

With a commitment to strengthening local communities and advancing responsible practices, DELTA remains dedicated to supporting the prosperity of livestock farming while safeguarding the environment.

Target Audience

Key Beneficiaries of the GAIA Action Plan

Livestock Farmers: Provision of technical support, training, scholarships, an ESG audit framework, and farm advisory services to enhance production practices and promote the adoption of sustainable methods.

Academic & Research Institutions: In collaboration with institutions such as the Agricultural University of Athens, the American Farm School, and ELGO-DIMITRA, we focus on developing and implementing research that advances sustainability in the sector.

Duration

The program has been implemented since 2012 and remains a continuous and dynamic initiative by DELTA, constantly evolving to adapt to the emerging challenges and needs of the dairy farming sector.

Description

Supporting the Sustainability of Greek Livestock Farming

The farmers we collaborate with are predominantly family-run businesses with extensive experience in milk production.

To combine this valuable expertise with the principles of sustainable development, we have designed and implemented the "GAIA" Action Plan since 2012, in partnership with academic and research institutions.

The core objective of this initiative is to link applied research with the production process across three key areas:

1. Animal Nutrition

In collaboration with the Agricultural University of Athens and ELGO-DIMITRA, we are exploring, through pilot crops, the potential for producing high-quality animal feed that can replace imported soy while ensuring balanced nutrition for livestock. This initiative aims to enhance the country's self-sufficiency, optimize the use of Greek agricultural land, and minimize environmental impact.

2. Farm Advisory Services

In collaboration with academic institutions, we provide tailored advisory support to farmers, ensuring balanced animal nutrition, maintaining high milk quality, and optimizing production costs.

Since 2023, we have expanded this advisory support to include sustainability-related topics. This is based on a new evaluation framework that assesses farmers using both milk quality and quantity criteria, along with principles of animal welfare, biosecurity, and carbon footprint measurement.

3. Farmer Training & Scholarships

Through workshops and meetings held across Greece, we continuously update farmers on the latest scientific advancements and techniques in livestock farming.

We also offer scholarships to young farmers at the beginning of their professional journey, enabling them to receive training in farm management techniques through educational programs at the American Farm School of Thessaloniki.

Lastly, we actively support contract farming, contributing to the development of a socially and environmentally sustainable future for the primary sector.

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Impact on Society

The impact of the GAIA Action Plan on the broader community is multifaceted. Some of the key areas of impact include:

Enhancing the capacity of dairy farmers: The technical and financial support provided to dairy farmers enables them to improve their production sustainably and enhance their practices in smart and sustainable agriculture, with the backing of DELTA. This has a positive impact not only on the farmers themselves but also on the local community and economy.

Training and informing farmers: The action plan strengthens the knowledge and awareness of producers regarding sustainable practices by offering seminars and technical support. This not only improves their skills but also promotes a culture of sustainability within the community.

Improving environmental and social impact & quality of life: Implementing sustainable dairy production methods improves animal welfare and helps protect the environment by reducing the environmental footprint of farmers. At the same time, the environmental and social value generated enhances the quality of life for farmers and their communities, contributing to a healthier and more sustainable environment.

Ensuring animal health and milk quality: The GAIA Action Plan promotes animal welfare by improving their living and care conditions. This approach ensures consistently high-quality raw materials (milk) both today and in the future.

Initiative Location

Working with Organization

The program is implemented in collaboration with academic and research institutions in our country, such as the Agricultural University of Athens, the American Farm School, and ELGO Dimitra, ensuring that the practices applied are scientifically supported and innovative. Through this collaboration, the latest trends in agricultural research and technology are incorporated, while new solutions are developed to address the challenges faced by the dairy farming sector.

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Workers Participation

The GAIA Action Plan is driven by the dedicated professionals in the Dairy Zone at DELTA, who are at the forefront of its success. With specialized knowledge and experience, they work closely with producers, providing continuous support, guidance, and training on modern and sustainable practices.

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Benefits for Οrganization

At DELTA, our goal is to make good nutrition accessible and enjoyable for all by producing top-quality, nutritious products, with respect for the environment and society. Sustainability is at the core of our business strategy, and the GAIA Action Plan is of strategic importance to us, as it brings us the following benefits:

Ensuring and maintaining high-quality milk: Through the GAIA Action Plan, we support our farmers and promote the sustainability of Greek dairy farming by improving animal health and ensuring consistently high milk quality.

Strengthening collaboration with producers to empower their capacity: It is important for us to empower farmers through continuous training and development to ensure both high product quality and the achievement of our sustainability goals.

Ensuring long-term sustainability and achieving DELTA’s SBTi climate goals: Since 2023, DELTA has committed to the global Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), setting significant goals to reduce our environmental footprint by 2030. In addition to reducing Scope 1 & 2 emissions, we are also committed to reducing the footprint of our supply chain (Scope 3) and emissions from land use (FLAG emissions). The GAIA Action Plan is a key vehicle in achieving our climate goals and reducing the footprint from primary production.