Background:

Tomatoes are one of the world’s largest crops, and the H.J. Heinz Company uses more tomatoes than any company in the world – two and a half million tons to be exact. Therefore, we have the unique opportunity as well as responsibility to demonstrate leadership in sustainable tomato farming. By doing so, we not only impact the quality of the tomatoes that go into Heinz products, we also enhance the environment where they are grown and improve the lives of our growers.

Challenge:

Develop and teach sustainable agriculture to our tomato growers throughout the world to increase their overall yield, improve quality and efficiency, provide greater income, and protect their health. By helping to make tomato farming operations more sustainable, we’re not only protecting the earth, but we’re also ensuring a region’s livelihood for future generations.

Strategy:

Implement a holistic sustainable agriculture program that focuses on tomato seed development and farming practices.

Seed Development

HeinzSeed was founded in 1970 to meet the challenge of creating tomato varieties that are adaptable to various global climates and are best suited for processing. HeinzSeed produces non-genetically modified hybrid tomato seeds for sustainable characteristics through traditional breeding techniques at research facilities in California, Ontario, and Australia. The breeding research focuses on developing tomato varieties that:

• Taste superior
• Produce a higher yield
• Remain ripe longer
• Require less water
• Resist disease

Sustainable Farming Practices

As part of our agricultural training program launched in 2000, our team of tomato experts travels the globe as part of an extensive education initiative to teach farmers about sustainable practices such as:

• Water conservation and management
• Soil analysis and restoration
• Nutrient conservation and management
• Pesticide management
• Hybrid seed and plug transplant guidelines
• Energy conservation and management

Results:

HeinzSeed is now the market share leader, recognized globally as the premier all-natural hybrid tomato seed company delivering the best tasting, highest field performance and most superior consistency of processing tomato varieties in the world.

• Supply six billion hybrid tomato seeds each year to farmers in more than 30 countries
• 30% of the world’s processed tomatoes are grown using Heinz seeds

Our seed development and sustainable farming initiatives have resulted in significant advances in tomato agriculture throughout the world:

Canada:

• Tomato yields have increased by 110% going from 20 tons per acre to 42 tons over the past 20 years
• 50% of Heinz tomato growers have adopted irrigation efficiency through drip application methods over the past 5 years
• All Canadian growers utilize locally grown greenhouse transplants maximizing hybrid seed usage and space utilization

California:

• Field yields increased by 65% over the last 25 years from 26 to 43 tons per acre
• Use of highly efficient drip irrigation practices increased from 30% to 55% total acreage over the past five years

China:

• 58% yield increase versus traditional farming methods
• Reduction in fertilizers and chemicals (30% nitrogen reduction) versus local system
• More efficient water management program
• Reclamation and improvement of soils and reduction in soil pH and salinity

Portugal:

• 50% yield increase over the past ten years
• 100% use of highly efficient plug seedling and mechanical transplanting practices

Egypt:

• 20% increase in yield
• Nitrogen reduction of 20%
• Soil management systems that reduce salinity
• Safe chemical handling systems introduced

Our Sustainability Vision:

As the original Pure Food Company, Heinz is a trusted leader in nutrition and wellness, dedicated to the sustainable health of people, the planet and our company.

Our Promise:

Heinz will continue to deliver superior quality tomatoes and tomato products to consumers while working with growers to institute ever more productive, efficient, safe, and sustainable agricultural practices.