Efeca authored a report to assist The University Caterers Organisation (TUCO), the leading professional membership body for in-house caterers in higher, further education, and public sectors, in gaining a deeper understanding of their palm oil supply chains. The report can be found here, which focused on detailing the sustainability credentials of TUCO’s palm oil suppliers and aimed to support TUCO in achieving RSPO (Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil) group accreditation.
In the initial assessment phase, which involved evaluating 120 suppliers, the report revealed a significant gap: few suppliers had publicly available statements or policies on sustainable palm oil (SPO), and even fewer were registered RSPO members. This highlighted an urgent need for increased transparency and commitment to sustainable sourcing practices within TUCO’s supply network.
A deeper analysis of 20 key palm oil suppliers uncovered widespread misunderstandings regarding Certified Sustainable Palm Oil (CSPO) and the process of RSPO membership and certification. This gap in knowledge underscored the importance of education and awareness-raising initiatives to facilitate the adoption of sustainable palm oil standards across the industry.
In addition to these insights, Efeca provided TUCO with short and long-term recommendations to guide their path towards certification. These recommendations, detailed within the report, aimed to strengthen TUCO’s strategy and operational practices related to sustainable palm oil sourcing.
For those interested in learning more about sustainable practices within the food service sector or seeking specific information on sustainable palm oil, please do not hesitate to contact us at info@efeca.com.
We are committed to supporting organisations like TUCO in their efforts to promote sustainability and responsible sourcing practices in their operations.