From strategy to shop floor
Responsible Feeding provides a comprehensive framework covering four pillars and multiple sustainability topics. In Brazil, the challenge was making this broad strategy meaningful for colleagues working in production, dispatch, maintenance, and operations. The goal was to help employees understand how everyday actions, from saving water to participating in training, contribute to a wider sustainability ambition.
Running from January to December 2025, the Sustainability Journey was created to transform understanding into ownership. Rather than relying on traditional top-down communication, De Heus Brazil encouraged each unit to contribute directly, helping colleagues learn by doing and connecting local actions to company-wide objectives.
Building ownership through action
The Sustainability Journey engaged colleagues through a structured programme focused on practical improvements and awareness-building. Sustainability became part of day-to-day conversations and operational decision-making rather than remaining the responsibility of a single department.
The initiative aligned with all four Responsible Feeding Programme pillars: Feed for Food, Sustainable Supply Chain, Empowering Farmers, and Thriving Employees. It addressed topics including food safety and quality, greenhouse gas emissions, water and waste management, employee well-being, community involvement, and diversity and inclusion.
Delivering measurable results
Over 12 months, the Sustainability Journey engaged 545 colleagues and 10 interns across seven units (6 production units and 1 office). The programme generated significant environmental and operational outcomes, including 1,993 m³ of water savings, R$122,000 in reduced energy costs, and 133 tonnes of avoided CO₂ emissions through corporate solar energy.
Colleagues also contributed to planting 737 seedlings with an estimated carbon sequestration potential of 14.7 tCO₂ per year over a 10 to 15-year period. Additionally, 17% of the LPG forklift fleet was converted to electric models. Employee development remained a key focus, resulting in 4,364 training participations.
Beyond the numbers, colleagues increasingly recognised how Responsible Feeding connects to their everyday work. Inter-unit challenges strengthened ownership and turned sustainability achievements into shared team successes.
Creating value for people and communities
The Sustainability Journey benefits employees through practical learning and development opportunities. Local communities receive seedlings grown on-site and food donations through NGO partnerships, while the business benefits from more efficient resource use and reduced operational costs. As Letícia de Moraes, Sustainability Assistant, explains: “Responsible Feeding only becomes a result when each unit can see its own contribution. The Journey translated the strategy into actions the team could measure, deliver and recognise as their own.”
What’s Next?
The programme has already created a foundation for future progress. The Quality, Safety, and Sustainability (SQSS) Week, introduced during the 2025 Journey, continued in 2026 and is now an annual milestone for launching initiatives, tracking progress, and celebrating results. At the same time, cross-functional Sustainability Committees are being established to monitor KPIs related to water, energy, and waste while driving local action plans.
By embedding sustainability into everyday decisions, De Heus Brazil is helping bring the Responsible Feeding Programme to life and contributing to our shared ambition of Nourishing Future Generations.
