NEW SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING WITH A LOWER ENVIRONMENTAL FOOTPRINT /
NOVEMBER 2021
In 2021, we completed the first phase of changing our packaging, a process aimed at lowering our environmental impact. Specifically, we developed fully recyclable packaging for all our “Freskokommena” products from the Barba Stathis Fresh Salads series, further contributing to a 17% reduction in plastic waste at its source.
Always moving forward, the BARBA STATHIS company is certified for the application of the principles of circular economy / April 2021
In 2021, the BARBA STATHIS company was the first company in the Greek food industry to be certified by EUROCERT for its implementation of Circular Economy. Specifically, we were awarded the Zero Waste To Landfill (ZWTL-EU1) certification for our frozen and fresh vegetables production in the Green and Gold categories respectively. This standard conforms with the strictest national and EU standards, and has been awarded as recognition for the responsible management of both organic and non-organic company waste, as well as for the efficient planning of actions preventing waste that ends up in landfills.
NEW AUTOMATED STORAGE & RETRIEVAL SYSTEM WITH A LOWER ENVIRONMENTAL FOOTPRINT/OCTOBER 2020
One of Barba Stathis’ top priorities is the continual improvement of our environmental footprint, and our new automated storage and retrieval system (ASRS) in deep freezing conditions, storing up to 10,500 pallets, is a step in the right direction. This new chamber reduces our overall energy consumption, while at the same time, 50% of the energy it requires per year is powered by the solar panels on its roof.
Constantly reducing our environmental footprint / December 2019
Committed to the environment, we show our respect with investments that help reduce our environmental footprint. In 2019: -We reduced CO2 gas emissions from goods transportation by 8% vs. 2018. -We made investments of € 6.1m. that aimed at innovating and streamlining our technological equipment so as to minimise our environmental footprint. -We reduced diesel consumption by 13% vs. 2018.
EASTER CARD FROM THE Make-A-Wish FOUNDATION / APRIL 2022
This Easter, our company supported the Make-A-Wish Foundation through our corporate Easter card that we shared with our employees, customers, and associates. In the context of this collaborative action, Barba Stathis made a donation to further contribute to the organization’s essential work of fulfilling the wishes of children suffering from serious illnesses.
500,000 PORTIONS OF FOOD & SALAD DONATED BY BARBA STATHIS IN 2021 / DECEMBER 2021
In the past year, we offered support to our community through our Social Responsibility program “We do good!”. By donating over 500,000 portions of food - including vegetables, pastries and fresh salads - BARBA STATHIS contributed to the critical projects of dozens of non-profit organizations throughout Greece. The company’s collaboration with organizations such as the "Ark of the World", the association "Together for Children", “the Smile of the Child", and the Chatzikiriakeio Foundation has only strengthened over the years, highlighting the importance of our company's action plan to actively contribute to combating the phenomenon of food insecurity, especially in children. At the same time, we continued our program of daily distribution of fresh Barba Stathis salads to public service organizations in the Attica region, such as the Reception & Solidarity Center of the Municipality of Athens, in order to contribute toward the ever-growing needs created by the pandemic and to alleviate food-waste. Finally, the company supported Prolepsis Institute in their work to combat child hunger in schools in vulnerable areas of the country and, through the “NUTRITION” program, offered 3 tons of spinach that were used as a base for the production of 66,000 spinach pies that were distributed as a nutritious snack for students during the school year.
SUPPORTING THE ASSOCIATIONS "TOGETHER FOR CHILDREN" & “THE SMILE OF THE CHILD" / DECEMBER 2021
This holiday season, through our Social Responsibility program, we proudly contributed once more to the important work being done by Greek non-profit organizations in support of children. We assisted the NGO "Together For Children" by strengthening their effort to care for hundreds of families with children who are currently facing poverty and social exclusion. In addition to a donation of free products, Barba Stathis made a sizable donation to cover the cost of the basic food products needed to care for 40 children for the duration of one month. Our company also provided financial support to assist in the great work being done by “The Smile of The Child” by gifting the organization’s symbolic “year charm” to all of our employees.
“WE DO GOOD!” WITH AN EASTER CARD & MORE/ APRIL 2021
This Easter, in support of the NGO “The Smile of The Child”, we collaborated with the organization for the design of our corporate e-card. As one of our company’s main corporate responsibility goals is to support non-profit organizations, we also donated a supply of free products and financially contributed toward the vaccination of the children growing up in the organization’s 14 homes.
Our “We Do Good!” program continues / December 2020
In 2020, when society had to weather unprecedented difficulties, the company further reinforced its food donations by giving away more than 70 tonnes of frozen vegetables and pastry products, or 350,000 food portions to dozens of charities, like “Together for Children”, “The Smile of the Child”, “The Chatzikiriakeio Foundation of Child Protection”, and “The Arc of the World”. At the same time, the company continued to distribute Barba Stathis fresh salads on a daily basis to charities in Attica, such as the City of Athens Homeless Shelter (KYADA), to help meet the growing needs created by the pandemic.
JOINING THE "Alliance for the Reduction of Food Waste" / OCTOBER 2020
As the fight against food waste has long been a strategic priority for our company, we are proud to announce that Barba Stathis is now a member of the “Alliance for the Reduction of Food Waste”, operating under the auspices of the Greek Ministry of Environment and Energy. We will be supporting this program with a series of actions including a green and circular economy directive, relevant consumer education, and assistance of non-profit organizations through the distribution of food products. Barba Stathis is honored to take part in this joint initiative by the organization "Boroume" and AB Vassilopoulos, that aims to develop collaborations between major food companies, members of the research and academic community, consumer organizations, and state bodies.
Our contribution to addressing the pandemic / April 2020
The company made a significant donation to the National Healthcare System, namely, 10 ICU beds and 10 vital sign monitors to the University General Hospital “AHEPA” of Thessaloniki, which was a hospital of reference for the COVID-19 in Thessaloniki. Similarly, the BARBA STATHIS company fully covered the meals of residents at the Residential Care Home for the Elderly of Athens for two months, offering daily two cooked meals fully adapted to the dietary needs of the elderly, and it supported the City of Xanthi “Help at home” program, as well as the soup kitchen program “Table of Love”..
50 YEARS, 50 TONS THAT DO GOOD! / December 2019
In 2019, in celebration of 50 years of operation, the BARBA STATHIS company launched the “50 years, 50 tonnes that do good” program, in the context of which it gave away 252,456 portions of food and salads to charity organizations, local bodies and food co-ops.
IN SUPPORT OF THE Make-A-Wish FOUNDATION! / DECEMBER 2019
This Christmas, our company supported the important work being done by the Make-A-Wish Foundation in Greece, with a novel Christmas action taking place at the Barba Stathis HQ in Thessaloniki. On the day that the office Christmas tree was to be decorated, Barba Stathis employees took part in the organization’s "Bake A Wish" action, raising enough money to make 15-year-old George’s wish come true!
ANNOUNCEMENT OF NEW SCHOLARSHIPS FOR STUDIES AT THE AMERICAN FARM SCHOOL’S VOCATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL / MARCH 2022
In active support of the primary sector of production in Greece, and in honor of the relationship of mutual trust that BARBA STATHIS shares with its collaborating producers, the company announces the addition of 2 new full scholarships to the Vocational High School program at the American Farm School in Thessaloniki. The 2-year scholarships will go to students from families of collaborating producers, and will fully cover tuition fees, as well as the beneficiaries’ cost of food and board for the duration of their studies. With the continuation of this initiative, now in its third year, as well as the specialized training seminars BARBA STATHIS regularly organizes for its collaborating producers, the company states its clear intent to support young people who wish to be a part of the country’s primary production and agri-food sector, in any way possible.
TRAINING PROGRAM FOR BARBA STATHIS AGRONOMISTS / DECEMBER 2021
Barba Stathis is implementing a specialized training program for its agricultural management executives, in collaboration with the organization “New Agriculture New Generation".
The 32-hour program provides executives with experiential training through a series of seminars on the use of new technology, innovative uses of agricultural drones (UAVs), skill development, as well as training on the latest developments in food hygiene and safety. In order to implement the program, a specialized team was set up composed of agronomists from the organization "New Agriculture New Generation”, experienced professionals from the field of adult education, members of the Agricultural University of Athens Research Unit, and scientists from Rutgers University, US.
SECOND YEAR OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM FOR AGRICULTURAL PARTNERS / OCTOBER 2021
For the second year in a row, and in collaboration with the American Farm School in Thessaloniki, Barba Stathis is implementing an educational program for our agricultural partners and producers. The program is created for producers from the main cultivation areas in Greece (Larissa, Volvi, Giannitsa, Kilkis, Florina), with a focus on the "Application of innovative technologies for the optimization of sustainable vegetable production”. This program is part of the company's strategic actions for sustainable development, with respect to the planet, its people, and society.
CONTINUATION OF SCHOLARSHIP FOR AMERICAN FARM SCHOOL STUDIES / SEPTEMBER 2021
Following the company’s announcement to support the children of our agricultural partners and producers for studies in the agri-food sector, Barba Stathis continues its scholarship funding at the American Farm School in Thessaloniki, for the second year in a row.
The Barba Stathis scholarship program is part of the company’s strategic plan to support the primary sector in Greece and to encourage young entrepreneurship. At the same time, as a leading food company, Barba Stathis is collaborating with the American Farm School in Thessaloniki to implement specialized training seminars for its agricultural partners in order to strengthen the Greek economy and contribute to the sustainable development of primary sector production.
Undergraduate scholarship announcement / July 2020
During 2020, the BARBA STATHIS company announced a two-year undergraduate scholarship for the children of contract agricultural producers who work with the company, together with the American Farm School. In 2020, the scholar was on her first year of studies at the Private Vocational Training Institute of the American Farm School.
Completion of BARBA STATHIS training programs for producers / September 2019 - February 2020
Committed to the top quality and utmost safety of its products, the BARBA STATHIS company has focused on sustainable development and thus cultivates its crops under fully monitored conditions, with the utmost respect for its farmers, consumers, the environment and society. Inspired by this principle, the company implemented a series of training seminars for the farmers it partners with, together with the American Farm School. The total duration of the program was 110 hours and benefitted more than 100 farmers, who received training on natural resources management and crop protection. Apart from the specialist knowledge offered by our training program, and its impact on both the sustainability and the health of the crops, as well as on the BARBA STATHIS customer base, our company has actively showcased its interest in the farmers we collaborate with by ensuring their health, safety, sound training, keeping them updated on new developments and helping them become the ambassadors of the Integrated Farm Management values.