Corporate social responsibility
Corporate social responsibility is rooted in Ahold's
values. The Company believes in taking responsibility
for its impact on society and the earth. This is important
to customers, employees and other stakeholders
and helps Ahold run its business more efficiently.
Improving the quality of life, today and tomorrow
Ahold is committed to improving the quality of life
of its customers, employees and the communities
it serves, through:
Managing the business in a responsible, ethical and
transparent way;
Providing safe foods, including healthy options, produced
under responsible conditions;
Being a place where employees are treated fairly and can
have a fulfilling career;
Minimizing the negative, and maximizing the positive,
social and environmental impact of its supermarket,
foodservice and logistics operations; and
Being a proactive corporate citizen through dialogue
with key stakeholders, and building strong relationships
in those communities where Ahold does business.
Ahold published an interim Corporate Social Responsibility
report in 2006 that details many of its activities in this area.
Responsible choices
Increasingly, people are looking for healthy choices and
products produced in a responsible manner. As a part of
this, Ahold operating companies offer an organic assortment
and many Fair Trade products. In addition, the Company
undertakes activities to advance the position of suppliers
in the developing world. The Ahold Sustainable Trade
Development program has brought Fair Trade and organic
products from Africa to be sold in ICA and Albert Heijn
stores. The Ahold Coffee Company supplies Utz Kapeh
certified responsible coffee for the corporate brands of Ahold
retailers in the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Norway,
Sweden and the United States. It also worked on the launch
of a new brand of Fair Trade coffee, Café Oké, which has
been introduced at Albert Heijn and Schuitema.
Healthy living
We are dedicated to promoting a healthy lifestyle for our
customers, which includes offering an extensive choice
of healthy products in our stores, as well as information
to customers about how they can make healthier choices.
As part of this our companies also run a number of
education programs aimed at teaching children healthier
eating habits. For example, Albert Heijn sponsors "Class
lunch", a program aimed at middle school age children in
the Netherlands, that provides a healthy lunch to students
and teaches them about the importance of healthy eating.
Albert/Hypernova runs a similar project in the Czech
Republic called Healthy Five.
Managing environmental impact
The Company is working to reduce waste, energy usage,
and the use of ozone-depleting substances. Albert Heijn,
ICA and Ahold's U.S. supermarkets identify stores with
unusually high energy consumption, perform detailed
energy analyses and take corrective measures. To increase
efficiencies, the operating companies use continuous
replenishment systems, which integrate store ordering
systems with those of distribution centers and suppliers.
Ahold companies also aim to reduce negative environmental
impacts associated with distribution through optimal truck
utilization and safe and efficient driving.
Community involvement
Ahold engages with customers by connecting with their
communities. Charitable contributions are just a starting
point. The operating companies participate directly in
community events, sponsor charitable causes and organize
fundraising. Charitable giving is especially important to
Ahold's operating companies in the United States, but also
part of community engagement in Europe.
As food providers, hunger relief initiatives are a natural focus
for Ahold's operating companies. Both the U.S. supermarket
businesses and U.S. Foodservice support local food banks
as well as America's Second Harvest, the U.S. national
network of food banks. All of our companies are involved in
sponsoring events and organizations aimed at educating
people on and promoting a healthy lifestyle.
10 Ahold Annual Report 2006
