Purchasing of Vegetables and Fruits

Two goals stand at the foreground in regards to purchasing fruit and vegetable commodities: The safety of the product and the supply guarantee. The supply guarantee is secured for the primary supply of our production through purchase contracts. In general, the contracts cover a period from one harvest to the next. To reduce the risks involved with crop failures, we attempt to pursue a strategy of gathering resources from at least two climatically independent regions. Entering into long term agreements with the suppliers has proven to bring the most success in achieving both goals, supply guarantee and product safety. Product safety is achieved by orienting the choice of suppliers to whether:
 

• The commodity supply of the processing plants are secured through controlled contracted cultivation that is comparable to the cultivation that is used for our own vegetable processing plants.
• The processing plant, storage and means of transport meet our demands for hygiene.
• The traceability of the commodities is guaranteed.

In addition to the agreements of the purchase contracts, the product specifications also form the basis for purchasing. Therein descriptions for the requirements of our commodities are contained in regard to physical, microbiological, chemical and legal aspects. German food legislation will be in effect regardless of the origins for all commodities.  

We will audit suppliers regularly to confirm that our requirements are being adhered to. In addition we control the quality of the goods receipt and examine it for residues and its microbiology. 

The traceability of commodities that will be used for FRoSTA products all the way back the fields where they were grown is especially important. Conforming to the FRoSTA Purity Act by refraining from the use of additional substances and technical auxiliary materials is an absolute obligation for all suppliers that will be documented and checked. A corresponding requirements profile is to be met by all suppliers.