Skip to:
;Resize=(240,200))
Our Commitment to a Sustainable Food Future
At Knorr, we believe that delicious food should also be good for the planet. Currently, a limited number of plants and animals make up the majority of global diets, which can impact both our health and the environment. Knorr is dedicated to transforming this by championing sustainable practices, from how our ingredients are grown to how they inspire your meals.
We're actively cultivating our ingredients sustainably and are passionate about empowering you with accessible recipes and practical tips. Together, we can make small, everyday changes that contribute to a significant positive impact. Join us in building a greener, more flavorful food future.
Eating and Cooking Sustainably with Knorr
Our commitment to sustainability is deeply rooted in our pursuit of better-tasting food. We know that sustainably grown ingredients not only benefit the environment but also bring a richer, more authentic flavor to every dish you create. Our chefs collaborate closely with Knorr farmers, ensuring that the care and passion put into growing our ingredients translate directly into the quality of Knorr products and the meals you prepare.
Key Takeaways for a Sustainable Knorr Journey
- Sustainable Sourcing: Knorr is dedicated to sourcing 100% of its agricultural ingredients sustainably, working with farmers and experts to uphold the Unilever Sustainable Agriculture Code.
- Water Conservation: Our farmers employ innovative techniques like drip irrigation and water recycling to minimize environmental impact and enhance crop flavor.
- Natural Pest Control: We prioritize natural pest management, utilizing beneficial insects and creating wildlife habitats to reduce pesticide use and support biodiversity.
- Flavor Preservation: Traditional methods like drying are used to lock in natural flavors, reducing the need for preservatives and ensuring delicious, high-quality ingredients.
- Farmer Partnerships: The Knorr Partnership Fund invests in co-funded projects, supporting farmers in adopting advanced sustainable practices.
- Nutritious Cooking: Knorr promotes nutritious cooking through products and programs, aiming to make healthy food accessible and inspiring positive dietary changes globally.
Drying is a time-honored method of food preservation, dating back thousands of years. This simple, safe technique effectively locks in the vibrant color, rich aroma, and intense flavor of our ingredients for extended periods.
Beyond preserving flavor, drying offers a natural alternative to artificial preservatives. It's a straightforward process: nothing is added to our vegetables, only the water is carefully removed, ensuring pure taste.
Our Knorr farmers employ smart techniques to enhance this process. For instance, when harvesting tomatoes, they allow them to "go thirsty" for about a week. This natural stress increases their sweetness and reduces the water content, making them ideal for drying. We measure this sweetness using a Brix test; a higher number indicates a sweeter, more flavorful tomato.
It's remarkable how much water is naturally present in vegetables. For example, we process 12 tons of fresh onions to produce just one ton of dried onion. This significant water reduction means concentrated flavor that won't dilute your cooking.
Sometimes, nature kickstarts the drying process. Our onions are often picked and left to sun-dry for a few days. Once peeled, they are dried and processed within hours to maintain peak freshness and taste. While not all our sustainable ingredients are dried (many are used as pastes or pulps for soups and stock pots), for our dried products, this ancient method continues to deliver delicious, high-quality ingredients for your kitchen.
Globally, approximately 70% of the world's total surface water is used for farming. With unpredictable weather patterns due to climate change, conserving this vital resource is more critical than ever. Our Knorr Landmark Farmers are at the forefront, employing ingenious methods to save water while enhancing crop quality.
Farmers understand that precise watering significantly impacts a crop's final taste. They meticulously avoid both under and over-watering. Many now use advanced meters to gauge soil moisture levels, ensuring plants receive exactly what they need. A remarkable example is one of our oregano farmers in Turkey, who doubled his yields by strategically reducing water usage, demonstrating the dual benefits of careful farming.
Knorr farmers have pioneered smart irrigation techniques to maximize every drop. Drip irrigation, for instance, delivers water directly to plant roots, providing the optimal amount for healthy, flavorful vegetables. This technology, initially developed in the deserts of Israel, highlights the ingenuity born from necessity in water-scarce regions.
Andrea Granier, Knorr Sustainable Agriculture Manager, emphasizes the importance of watering for flavor: "We prioritize flavor above all, so we water our vegetables to achieve peak sweetness by harvest time. Our tomatoes, for example, are not watered for about a week before picking, which intensifies their natural sugars. This also means less water in the harvested crop, leading to quicker drying and overall efficiency."
Recycling is another cornerstone of our water strategy. Our Goed Te Schellebrouck pea farm in Belgium filters wastewater through natural materials like soil, straw, coconut chips, and compost, achieving an impressive 99% purification. Similarly, our Landmark farm in Badajoz, Spain, reuses water three times for washing tomatoes, showcasing our dedication to responsible water management.
Becoming a Knorr Landmark Farmer requires immense dedication and a pioneering spirit. This exclusive group comprises the finest innovators in sustainable farming, consistently pushing beyond basic requirements to explore and implement advanced sustainable methods.
These pioneers include our pea farmers in Belgium, who leverage cutting-edge technology to reduce tractor fuel consumption, and our pumpkin farmers in Austria, who collaborate by swapping and sharing land to facilitate essential crop rotation practices.
We are proud to collaborate with over 30 Landmark Farmers worldwide. Their ingenuity and imaginative approaches serve as a powerful inspiration for other growers, encouraging them to discover new ways to nurture the land and enhance the natural flavors of their produce.
At Knorr, we embrace nature's solutions for pest control. Our farmers carefully identify natural predators for common pests, offering an ecological approach to managing unwanted visitors. For instance, the Nesidiocoris bug is a natural enemy of the Tuta Absoluta moth, a significant threat to tomato crops. By encouraging such beneficial insects, we protect entire fields without relying on harsh chemicals.
To ensure precise intervention, some farmers utilize innovative insect traps. These traps, laced with insect pheromones, attract pests and feature tiny cameras that monitor activity. If a significant number of pests are detected, farmers receive an alert, allowing them to apply targeted measures only when absolutely necessary.
Our sustainable farmers actively foster biodiversity to support natural pest control. Many tomato farmers construct shelters for lizards and bats, and install nesting boxes for birds like Blue Tits. These initiatives not only help manage pests but also provide safe habitats for local wildlife, including endangered species.
While pests can severely damage healthy plants and reduce yields, we understand the broader environmental impact of pesticides. Knorr's sustainable farmers are committed to minimizing their use, having already achieved a 31% reduction in pesticide usage per farm since 2011. This dedication ensures healthier ecosystems and safer food.
Sustainable farming involves nurturing the entire ecosystem. Our farmers act as "concierges" for local wildlife, creating welcoming environments that support pest control, pollination, and soil health. Here are some ways Knorr farmers support our feathered, scaly, and slimy friends:
- Bee Hotels: Building bee hotels between crops to enhance pollination and support vital insect populations.
- Ponds: Introducing ponds to create new aquatic ecosystems, attracting diverse wildlife.
- Worms: Encouraging worms to break down organic material, enriching soil quality naturally.
- Habitat for Ladybirds: Providing safe spaces for ladybirds to hibernate and breed, as they are natural predators of aphids.
- Homes for Lizards: Creating habitats for lizards, which help control various farm pests.
- Welcoming Bats: Installing bat shelters to attract bats, effective predators of tomato-loving moths and other nocturnal insects.
Bee Hotels
Building bee hotels between crops to help pollination.
Ponds
Introducing ponds to create new ecosystems.
Worms
Encouraging worms to break down organic material for richer soil.
Habitat for ladybirds
Providing habitats for ladybirds to hibernate and breed.
Homes for lizards
Creating homes for lizards to combat pests on farms.
Welcoming bats
Welcoming bats that eat pesky tomato-loving moths.
Sustainable farmers have to wear a lot of different hats: scientist, chef, mechanic, and sometimes, concierge. Making local wildlife feel at home on a farm helps pest control, pollination, compost, as well as simply making the farm a more enjoyable place to be. Here are just some of the things Knorr farmers do for our feathered, scaly, and slimy friends.
Bee Hotels
Building bee hotels between crops to help pollination.
Tamarind
Give the tamarind pod a tap with your finger. If it sounds hollow, it’s ready.
Tomatoes
Take a tomato bush and shake it. If they fall off, it’s ready.
Green Beans
If the bean snaps in half with a nice crunchy sound, it’s ready.
Onions
When the leaves fall off the plant, it’s ready.
Simple techniques to understand when your plants ready.
Pumpkins
Give the pumpkin a good slap. If it sounds hollow, it’s ready.
Tamarind
Give the tamarind pod a tap with your finger. If it sounds hollow, it’s ready.
Tomatoes
Take a tomato bush and shake it. If they fall off, it’s ready.
Green Beans
If the bean snaps in half with a nice crunchy sound, it’s ready.
Onions
When the leaves fall off the plant, it’s ready.
How to Identify Perfectly Ripe Produce
Join Knorr in Cultivating a Sustainable Future
Knorr's dedication to sustainability is woven into every aspect of our brand, from pioneering farming techniques and responsible water management to natural pest control and ethical sourcing. We are committed to delivering delicious, high-quality ingredients while nurturing our planet and supporting farming communities. By choosing Knorr, you're not just enjoying great flavor; you're contributing to a greener, more sustainable food system for everyone.
Frequently Asked Questions About Knorr's Sustainability
Knorr is committed to sourcing 100% of its agricultural ingredients sustainably. We collaborated with farmers and sustainability experts like Rainforest Alliance and Fairtrade Foundation to develop the Unilever Sustainable Agriculture Code (USAC). Our suppliers must adhere to these guidelines, which cover 11 aspects of sustainable agriculture, including soil quality, water usage, and biodiversity. Compliance is verified through self-assessment and external checks. For more details, click here (PDF 1.85MB).
Find out more about our sustainable sourcing strategy and progress.
Since 2011, Knorr has invested €1 million annually through the Knorr Partnership Fund. This fund supports co-funded projects with suppliers and their farmers, helping them meet or exceed the requirements of our Unilever Sustainable Agriculture Code. To date, we have funded over 70 projects, fostering innovation and sustainable growth within our farming communities.
Look for the Knorr Sustainability Partnership logo on our products. This logo signifies that the ingredients within that pack have been grown by farmers and suppliers who meet the standards of our Unilever Sustainable Agriculture Code. We use this logo when at least 50% of the product contains sustainably grown ingredients, or when 100% of the main ingredient is sustainably sourced. Key ingredients are also highlighted on the front or back of our packaging.
While Knorr offers some organic product ranges, our sustainable approach extends beyond organic certification. We believe organic production alone may not fully address critical food sustainability issues like the social impacts of farming or increased land use at a global level. This is why we developed the comprehensive Unilever Sustainable Agriculture Code with its 11 indicators. Organic certification, recognized by IFOAM, is counted towards our sustainable sourcing targets, and we also utilize Rainforest Alliance certification for spices in some smallholder farmer supply chains.
Knorr is dedicated to ensuring farmed animals are reared in humane conditions with high welfare standards. We've co-developed our animal welfare standards with NGO Compassion in World Farming, aiming to achieve 'Level 3' animal welfare for our chickens, cows, and pigs. This means animals have adequate space, light, and enriched environments that support their natural behaviors. Find out more about our commitment to Animal Welfare.
As part of our 2020 ambition, Knorr actively supports smallholder spice farmers within our supply chain. We help them improve farming techniques and provide access to essential training and resources, fostering sustainable livelihoods and high-quality spice production. Learn more about our work with smallholder farmers.
Knorr believes nutritious food should be accessible to everyone. We meticulously preserve the natural goodness of our vegetables from farm to product and offer foods that provide essential nutrients, such as our iron-fortified Knorr cubes. We also inspire people to enhance their dishes with nutritious ingredients.
Our 'Follow My Green Food Steps' program, piloted in Nigeria in 2015, aims to improve the health of thousands of women and teenage girls by making nutritious cooking affordable, simple, and desirable. Discover more about the Knorr My Green Food Steps program.
Furthermore, Knorr partners with the World Food Programme to advance global food security. Each year, for World Food Day, we collaborate to donate nutritious, cooked meals to school children worldwide, having provided over 2 million meals to date.
As part of the Unilever Sustainable Living Plan, we aim for 75% of our products to meet salt levels enabling a maximum intake of 5 grams per day. We also strive to double the proportion of our portfolio that meets the highest nutrition standards, based on globally recognized dietary guidelines by 2020.
Unlock Exclusive Recipes, Tips, and Knorr News!
Share your cooking preferences with us, and we'll deliver personalized inspiration directly to your inbox.
