“Investing in education is investing in the strengthening of the communities in which we live and produce.”
Argentina, is a country recognized worldwide as a leader in social responsibility. It has consolidated laws that protect workers in the context of growing global competition. Since 2015, the country has committed to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), prioritizing decent work and the eradication of child labor.
In line with these international standards, from the Argentine Blueberry Committee (ABC) we strive daily to position our production as a reference for a sustainable business production model, recognized at a local, national and international level. We adopt a triple impact approach: environmental, social and economic.
We actively participate in the PAR Project (Responsible Agricultural Production) with the specialized NGO Desarrollo y Autogestión (DYA), developing a specific Social Compliance System (SCS). Since 2019, this system has become a pioneering social policy at the sectoral level, reflecting our commitment and contributing to the well-being of the entire value chain. This approach provides us with continuous learning opportunities, ongoing improvement, and the capture of added value.
Additionally, as members of the Network of Companies against Child Labor, we align with the National Plan for the Prevention and Eradication of Child Labor and the Protection of Adolescent Work.
With three fundamental pillars: exceptional flavor, organic production, and responsible labor practices, ABC supports its commitment with certifications of good agricultural and social practices from its beginnings in the three productive zones of the country: Buenos Aires, Northwest Argentina (NOA), and Northeast Argentina (NEA).
Our main asset is our people.
Blueberry production is characterized by being a regionally labor-intensive economy with high female participation at key moments like harvest.
In recent years, our social policy has focused on this reality, and we managed to inaugurate 5 Child Care Centers (CCI) and 2 Youth Spots Centers (PJ), spaces for educational assistance with internet connectivity for adolescents, among other actions.
Associated Management where Everyone Wins
We address the complex issue of child labor with a collaborative approach involving the private sector, the government (at all levels: national, provincial, and communal), workers´unions, and NGOs, proposing a model where everyone contributes and benefits. We have forged alliances with various stakeholders in the value chain, such as producers, contractors, transporters, RENATRE, UATRE, national, provincial, and municipal ministries and secretariats, always promoting consensus in collective strategies.
We understand that this social focus benefits the productive sector, the community, and the state. It is a process of continuous improvement. It is done while walking and from the field. Having internal political determination from the start of the process was the key to sustaining this policy over time and making a difference.
We also highlight the fundamental importance of technical assistance from reputable organizations in the field, such as DYA, accompanied by effective internal and external communication and awareness.
In an interconnected world, we understand the changing demands of consumers, who demand not only healthy but also sustainable food. We want to meet these new requireme