- For the second time, SanLucar is awarded with the prize for “Social Progress” by the president of Tunisia
Since 2009, the multinational company has been running the tomato farm “La Cinquième Saison” in the south of the country and proves with the award that it is not only important for SanLucar to offer premium fruit and vegetables, but also to support the employees and the local communities. The President of Tunisia awards “La Cinquième Saison” the first prize of the national competition for social progress, recognizing working conditions and working culture. The farm has an employee representative committee as well as a health and safety committee. The award is also a special recognition for the efforts and development of a constructive approach in the management of labor relations. The company is particularly active in the Gabès region and invests in sustainable projects in the oasis village of El Hamma.
SanLucar’s corporate philosophy “Taste in harmony with people and nature” has been reflected in the company’s international implementation and support of social, educational and environmental projects since its foundation. The social commitment in Tunisia is an important part of the corporate responsibility and the corporate responsibility program DREAMS (Developing Responsible Environments And Multicultural Societies).
Since 2016, SanLucar has been working with the Tunisian Ministry of Education to improve the learning conditions of children in rural areas. Within three years, a total of seven schools in the Gabès region were renovated. For several years now, the company has been committed to education, including the training of young people. Recently, SanLucar signed an agreement with AVFA (Agency for Agricultural Education and Training), Swisscontact Tunisia (international foundation for development work), Hedi Bouchemaoui Group (HBG) and various Tunisian ministers to promote agricultural training for young people in the Tunisian agricultural sector. On the farm in El Hamma, SanLucar works with three local NGOs that employ people with disabilities. The organization UTAIM runs several workshops for people with disabilities – their laundry service takes care of all necessary cleaning tasks.
In terms of the environment, SanLucar is also committed to the region. Climate change and a growing population are making the issue of water shortages even more serious. Water is also a precious resource in the North African country. That is why drainage channels are used in the tomato oasis in southern Tunisia. Water that is not absorbed by the plants is collected, treated and used for the next irrigation. In this way, 30 percent of the water is recycled and saved.
In total, the company employs around 1,700 people in Tunisia. For its continuous efforts to improve the working and living conditions of its employees, SanLucar received the prestigious Hannon Award in Paris in 2019 “for promoting co-development through responsible investment.”
The recent award from the president of Tunisia also includes prize money of 10,000 dinars, which will be invested in equipping the neighboring hospital in El Hamma with oxygen machines.
About SanLucar
Guided by the slogan »Taste the Sun«, SanLucar offers the best tasting fruits and vegetables 365 days a year. The company is dedicated to bringing people natural joy of life and health in a way they can be proud of. Offering a variety of more than 100 delicious fruits and vegetables from more than 35 countries, SanLucar is the brand with the broadest top-quality assortment in the German, Austrian and Dutch retail market. SanLucar is also currently expanding into England, Italy, Canada, Ecuador, Russia, the Middle East and North Africa.
SanLucar, founded in 1993 by Stephan Rötzer, is today a multinational company with over 3.200 employees in Germany, Austria, Benelux, Spain, Italy, Ecuador, South Africa, Tunisia and Dubai. The philosophy »Taste in harmony with people and nature« is the foundation for all actions of SanLucar as well as the basis for many social and sustainable projects.
