Update on Novae results in partnership with the first enterprise for prepared organic fruits and vegetables in French-speaking Switzerland.
A year and a month ago, we celebrated with you the official launch of the first enterprise for prepared organic fruits and vegetables in French-speaking Switzerland.
This inauguration marked the successful outcome of a project initiated in 2022 by our Purchasing and CSR teams, in partnership with the Keuffer family (market gardeners since 1979 and Novae partner since 2020).
Our main objective was to expand the range of organic fruits and vegetables in our company and school restaurants (more quantity and more variety), while fighting against food waste, in particular by promoting less aesthetic fruits and vegetables.
To mark this anniversary, we invite you to discover, through this article, the highlights of this project as well as the current results. You will also be able to explore the next steps and our future ambitions.
At Novae, we are constantly looking for innovative and environmentally friendly solutions to offer you a mouth-watering experience.
Project results
Nutritional objectives achieved: more organic products and more variety
In one year, we ordered 24 tonnes of products from a range of 227 references, so achieving our objective of significantly increasing the quantity and diversity of organic fruits and vegetables in our school, company and healthcare facility restaurants. This volume made it possible to set up daily deliveries, ensuring our clients optimal freshness at each meal.
Reducing waste and strengthening local sourcing
Of the 24 tonnes of fruits and vegetables processed in 4th range for our establishments, some would have been lost due to their size being unsuitable for mass distribution. Thanks to their transformation, these products have been saved from food waste, while retaining their organic certification.
In addition, our logistics organisation, developed in partnership with the market gardener Keuffer and our restaurants, ensures distribution within an ultra-local radius of 70 km maximum for our 27 establishments, further strengthening our commitment to a short and responsible supply chain.
Stakeholder testimonials
A word from our Partner – Vincent Keuffer (market gardener)
Testimonial from the Novae project coordination – Jeanne Chaudon (Novae buyer)
- What have been the main achievements of the project of this first enterprise for prepared organic fruits and vegetables in French-speaking Switzerland since its launch a year ago?
The first achievement is to be a player and supporter of the agricultural world through this project involving Novae, Polyval and the Keuffer family.
We have introduced the 4th organic range on the collective catering market in French-speaking Switzerland! Before this project, this range of products simply did not exist.
At Novae, no less than 30 tonnes of ready-to-cook organic fruits and vegetables have been delivered to 30% of our restaurants since the launch of the enterprise for prepared organic fruits and vegetables.
It has been a long-term project in close collaboration with the Keuffer family. They listened to the needs of the managers. Vincent Keuffer was able to meet the different needs, whether in terms of cutting or new varieties of fruits and vegetables to plant.
- What challenges did you encounter when implementing this project, and how did you overcome them?
The very first challenge was to raise awareness among our managers about this new range and to change their ordering habits.
Then, we had to work on logistics with Vincent Keuffer to be able to deliver to our restaurants on time.
We still have some great challenges, such as optimising packaging.
- How has the enterprise for prepared organic fruits and vegetables contributed to increasing the quantity and diversity of organic fruits and vegetables in school and company restaurants?
> Through the quality of the products, without intermediaries; the Keuffer family is above all a producer and processes its own products, so guaranteeing freshness
> Through proximity, with products grown and processed in French-speaking Switzerland at the heart of our activity; our managers were able to visit and meet the Keuffer family
> Through shared reflections on sustainability, with a varied assortment, which respects the seasons and natural production methods.
As explained, the 4th organic range simply did not exist in French-speaking Switzerland before the creation of this laboratory. The 30 tonnes ordered since its creation are therefore 30 tonnes of 4th range of fruits and vegetables that have switched from conventional to organic!
Some of our establishments have, for example, decided to have “100% organic vegetable” days. This allows the message to be transmitted even more strongly to our consumers.
- What was the impact of this project on reducing food waste?
Food waste starts in the fields. It was in the middle of summer that our executive purchasing chef transformed 50 kg of unsold tomatoes into dried tomatoes for our restaurants. The 4th range, for its part, allows us to promote quality products, but which do not always meet the strict criteria of mass distribution.
Back from the field – Frédéric Potereau (manager of Collège du Mottier – VD)
Ambitious Projects to Come
We intend to continue this momentum by gradually increasing the number of our restaurants and our order volumes to allow as many clients as possible to benefit from these organic, local and fresh fruits and vegetables.
True to our commitments as a responsible and innovative company, we are constantly looking for solutions to reduce our environmental impact while guaranteeing the quality of our products.
At the same time, we continue to support our partner Keuffer in the creation of a 5th range laboratory. This project will strengthen our fight against food waste and contribute to an even more significant impact.
