Sustainability isn't just a buzzword; it's a necessity in today's world. Customers look for products they can feel good about, and producers want to work with ingredients that align with their values. Ensuring quality and responsibility in bakery and pastry takes careful consideration of the sourcing of ingredients and their impact on the environment and communities.

With a growing awareness about global issues like deforestation and animal welfare, it’s more important than ever to make sustainable choices. In this blog, we'll explore how selecting sustainably-sourced cocoa and related ingredients, as well as other sustainable options, can benefit both your business and the planet.

Other Sustainable Ingredient Options

Aside from cocoa-based ingredients, there are several other key ingredients commonly found in bakery and pastry that can also be sourced sustainably. For example, beet and cane sugar are important sweeteners in baking and pastry, but also have an impact on land use and farmer well-being. Sustainable Agriculture Initiative (SAI) creates and regulates strict standards for sustainable beet sugar production and procurement. Similarly, our partners look to Bonsucro for sustainable cane sugar standards. These standards ensure that sugar production does not harm the environment and supports farmers and their livelihoods.

Dairy sourcing presents unique challenges when it comes to sustainability, as it requires balancing the welfare of animals with responsible stewardship of the land. Our partner brands take this responsibility seriously and have established guidelines for promoting sustainable dairy procurement through the Visiondairy Charter. This focuses on improving farmer outcomes and enabling farmers to adjust and innovate based on best practices. By implementing this charter, dairy producers can reduce their impact on the environment while providing high quality products.

Finally, many of the ingredients used in baking and pastry can be repurposed and used in surprisingly innovative ways, reducing waste while creating new flavor profiles. For example, citrus rinds can be candied or used to flavor syrup, while stale bread can be transformed into croutons or breadcrumbs. Nuts can be used for nut butter and even nut milk. In a similar vein, various leftover ingredients from both sweet and savory recipes can also be utilized to add depth and complexity to baked goods. For instance, leftover coffee grounds can be used to flavor chocolate or as a rub for meats. Banana peels can be used as a natural tenderizer in meat dishes.

Using sustainable ingredients in baking and pastry has numerous benefits. It helps reduce one's carbon footprint, preserve the environment, and support farmers, while also contributing to healthier living. It can also improve brand reputation and customer loyalty.

However, there are also challenges to overcome. Access to and affordability of sustainable ingredients - especially in highly specialized or niche markets - can pose a challenge. Furthermore, there is a lack of global guidelines and certifications that regulate and promote sustainability across all industries and countries. However, by collaborating with third-party providers and ensuring supplier transparency, we can endeavor to overcome these obstacles.

Working in a team with a shared vision of supporting sustainable ingredients can help overcome these challenges and promote a zero-waste approach to baking and pastry. At the end of the day, using sustainable ingredients enables us to create high-quality products that not only taste good, but also feel good to make and share.

Sustainably-Sourced Cocoa and Related Ingredients

In today's times, it is essential to consider the responsibility and quality of ingredients used in the bakery and pastry industry to not only cater to our customers' needs but also sustain the environment and protect farmers' livelihoods. Sustainably-sourced cocoa and related ingredients include palm oil, coconut oil, soybean oil and soy lecithin, and vanilla.

Palm Oil and RSPO Certification

Palm oil is widely used in many different countries, which makes it challenging to regulate. However, the RSPO (Roundtable On Sustainable Palm Oil) certification is the industry standard and requires palm oil to be sustainably sourced from legal suppliers who follow sustainable practices. Sustainability of palm oil production involves management and operations that are a legal, economically viable, environmentally appropriate, and socially beneficial practice.

Sustainability of Coconut Oil

Unlike other common ingredients, there are no established guidelines to shape or assure sustainability in the coconut procurement and manufacturing process. Our partner brands work with farmers and processors to enforce sustainable practices and ensure protection for farmers and the environment.

Soybean Oil and Soy Lecithin Production

The majority of soy production globally is by Brazil, which is also responsible for deforestation caused by agricultural production. The Cerrado Manifesto was released to protect Brazil and the foundation's guidelines. Our partner brands ensure sustainability by being in compliance with the objectives of the Cerrado Manifesto.

Challenges of Sustainable Vanilla Sourcing

Unlike other ingredients, vanilla's growing process is meticulous and delicate, making sustainability a challenge. Currently, there are no established guidelines or certification structure in place globally. Barry-Callebaut's sustainable vanilla program is audited by EcoCert, a third-party provider, to ensure sustainable and entrepreneurial farming, education, and community support.

It's essential to source sustainably-sourced cocoa and related ingredients for quality and responsibility in the bakery and pastry industry. However, it can still seem overwhelming and complicated. So, if you have any questions, we're happy to answer them!

Benefits of Using Sustainable Ingredients

Choosing sustainably-sourced ingredients for your bakery and pastry products can have a positive impact on the environment, support farmers and their livelihoods, and improve your brand reputation and customer loyalty. By choosing ethically-produced ingredients, you are playing an active role in preserving the planet and protecting its finite resources.

Not only that, you are also supporting a sustainable future for farmers and their communities by ensuring they receive fair compensation for their products. Sustainable sourcing practices encourage the use of traceable supply chains, promoting transparency and accountability among suppliers.

Ultimately, using sustainable ingredients can enhance your brand reputation and increase customer loyalty. People want to know that the products they buy are not only delicious but also ethically-sourced and socially responsible. By prioritizing the use of sustainable ingredients, you can cultivate a loyal customer base who values your commitment to sustainable practices.

So, let's make the world a better place, one bite at a time!

Challenges and Solutions

Sourcing sustainable ingredients comes with its own set of challenges. One of the primary concerns is the cost and availability of these ingredients. As responsible sourcing involves paying farmers and producers a fair wage and implementing sustainable farming practices, the cost of ingredients can be higher than conventionally sourced counterparts. Additionally, sourcing sustainable ingredients can be challenging as there may not be enough supply available to meet the growing demand.

Another challenge is the lack of established global guidelines and certifications for sustainable sourcing of certain ingredients, such as coconut and vanilla. This can make it difficult for brands and manufacturers to verify if their suppliers are meeting sustainability requirements.

To overcome these challenges, collaboration with third-party providers and supplier transparency is key. By working with organizations such as the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) and EcoCert, manufacturers can ensure that their suppliers are adhering to sustainability standards. Additionally, building relationships with suppliers and ensuring supply chain transparency can help increase availability of sustainable ingredients and ensure fair pricing.

While sourcing sustainable ingredients may not be without its challenges, the benefits far outweigh the costs. By making a concerted effort to prioritize sustainable sourcing, manufacturers can improve their brand reputation, build customer loyalty, and have a positive impact on the environment and farmers' livelihoods.

Conclusion

Sustainable ingredients benefit customers, farmers, and the environment. Collaborating with third-party providers and supplier transparency can overcome cost and guideline challenges. Use of leftover ingredients for zero waste is both innovative and eco-friendly.

Sustainable Ingredients: Ensuring Quality and Responsibility in Bakery and Pastry

Contact us to learn more about how we can help you source sustainable ingredients for your bakery or pastry business.