Sustainability

As a family business, growth is essential for our continuity. At the same time, we reduce our negative impact on people and the environment and wherever possible, make a positive contribution. We consciously choose green growth and focus on five strategic pillars.

In 2024, we conducted the double materiality analysis in accordance with the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). The analysis consisted of 4 steps:

1. Identifying relevant topics
Creating a longlist and mapping the supply chain.

2. Engaging stakeholders
We asked key suppliers, customers, employees, and management how important these topics are to them.

3. Impact analysis:
This resulted in a list of material topics, assessed based on their environmental and/or social impact and the extent to which each topic represents a financial risk or opportunity for De Graaf Bakeries.

4. Prioritisation and validation
The results were validated and approved by the Board of Directors.

Based on the 15 identified material topics, we refined our sustainability strategy to focus on the following five themes: Climate, Circularity, Responsible Employment Practices, Tasty and Fair Products, and Fair, Short Supply Chain.

SDG 13

Climate

Our 2030 climate target (near-term target for scope 1 and 2) has been reviewed and approved by the SBTi.

Climate- and energy conscious

As a bakery, we are closely connected to the climate. The quality and availability of our raw materials depend on a stable climate. At the same time, we recognize that our processes emit CO₂ and therefore impact the climate. More than 95% of our emissions come from our supply chain, mainly from the cultivation and production of raw materials. Our own emissions are primarily linked to energy-intensive processes such as baking, cooling, and freezing.

Committed to becoming climate neutral by 2030
We aim to produce entirely climate-neutral by 2030, in line with the GHG-protocol (Scope 1 & 2).

More efficient energy management:
We continue to invest in energy-saving measures throughout our bakeries.
Transition to 100% renewable energy:
- The availability of electricity at our sites determines how fast we can convert our gas ovens to electric ovens, using a hybrid solution as an intermediate step. The first one is already in operation.
- Nearly all of our cooling and freezing systems are closed-loop.
- Our rooftops are equipped with solar panels. By 2025, we will source 80% green electricity, increasing to 100% by 2026.
Sustainable vehicle Fleet:
From 2025 onwards, all our lease vehicles will be at least hybrid, and by 2030 fully electric..

50% lower emissions across the supply chain
Together with our suppliers and customers, we aim to reduce CO₂ emissions across the supply chain (scope 3) by 50% by 2030 compared to our 2020 baseline. We ask our suppliers to set Science-Based Targets (SBTi) and actively encourage and support our customers in shifting from animal to plant-based proteins.

From climate awareness to climate neutrality

Our ambition is to produce completely CO₂ neutral by 2030. Without external compensation, with optimal heat recovery and the use of renewable energy sources.

SDG 12

Circularity

Circular use of raw materials

A circular economy is crucial to prevent shortages of raw and auxiliary materials in the future. By reusing residual streams from our bakery as raw materials, we not only contribute to a more sustainable world but also create value from what would otherwise be lost. Food waste streams are converted back into reusable raw materials as efficiently and high-quality as possible, following the Moerman Ladder.

Preventing food waste

From residual stream to raw material

Product waste without meat is converted into pig feed, while meat-containing waste is sent to a biogas digester. This biogas is then used to heat pig farms.
Used frying fat and product residues from the wastewater tank are also converted into biogas.
Packaging materials from our raw materials are collected separately, and by 2030 we aim to have less than 10% unsorted residual waste.

Sustainable packaging

Our products deserve safe packaging to prevent waste. More than 99% of our packaging materials are already fully recyclable.
We use as much recycled material as possible within food safety regulations. The cardboard boxes we use contain 80% recycled cardboard and are FSC® certified.
We collaborate with our customers to reduce environmental impact of packaging by optimizing weight, content, and material choice. We measure this in CO₂ emissions per kilogram of packaged product.

SDG 8

Responsible Employment
Practices

A great place to work for everyone

To realize our growth ambitions, it is essential to attract, develop, and retain the right colleagues. Engaged and diverse teams make the difference for our customers, especially when they work in a safe and supportive environment, feel heard, and are able to use and develop their talents.

Our core values form the foundation of our behavior and collaboration. We do not tolerate any form of discrimination or harassment and have effective procedures in place to report and address misconduct.

Our employment practices

Our work environment

Safety is one of our core values. We strive to ensure a safe working environment—physically, socially, and digitally.
We have a confidential advisor available and clear policies in place to support respectful interactions and to report misconduct through our whistleblower procedure.
Our internal Academy and employee communication app support sustainable employability, personal development and ease of work.
We also regularly conduct employee satisfaction surveys to help us continuously improve.

SDG 3

Tasty and Fair Products

Delicious and honest

We understand we’re not selling fruit, we’re offering indulgent products meant to be enjoyed. However, excessive intake of sugar and saturated fats can contribute to obesity and cardiovascular disease.

That’s why we take responsibility by proactively offering customers healthier and more sustainable alternatives. Our focus is on the protein transition from animal to more plant-based sources, reducing sugar, and developing clean label products.

Safe, high-quality products
Naturally, our products always comply with legal requirements and food safety standards. At De Graaf Bakeries, we live by the motto: “Quality always wins!” We are IFS-certified, and 100% of our suppliers are GFSI-certified (BRC, IFS, FSSC 22000).

Honest Products

Clean label
We deliver as many products as possible without additives—just like you would bake at home.
Sugar
We encourage our customers to reduce added sugars. Our goal is to process less refined sugar per kg of product by 2030.
Plant-based
Eating less meat benefits both health and the environment. That’s why we continue to expand our range of options for flexitarians, vegetarians, and vegans with plant-based and hybrid products.

SDG 8 en 15

Fair, short
Supply Chain

Responsible sourcing

We consider it important that all our products are produced responsibly, with respect for the environment, people and animals.

Fair labor conditions
We are committed to fair working conditions and respect for human rights throughout the supply chain. Additionally, we aim to promote sustainable agriculture, combat deforestation, and encourage animal-friendly production methods.

Fair

All our suppliers commit to good labor conditions and respect for human rights in the supply chain by signing a Code of Conduct.
For suppliers of high-risk products, we require social sustainability assessments, such as Sedex, Ecovadis, or Amfori BSCI. We ourselves have achieved a silver Ecovadis rating.
We encourage our customers to choose animal welfare certifications. More than 50% of our meat ingredients carry the Better Life label, and we use only free-range eggs.
In our cookies, we use Rainforest Alliance and or Fairtrade certified chocolate. This certification is not claimed on the final product.
Our margarine is RSPO-SG certified, and other palm oil-containing ingredients are at least RSPO-MB certified. We aim for a fully palm oil-free assortment.
We ask our raw material suppliers to commit to climate actions with approved SBTi targets.
We promote sustainable cultivation of wheat and sugar.

Local

Where possible, we source our raw materials from the Netherlands and Europe. This improves supply chain transparency and reliability, while minimizing transport distances.