Post by Juanita Franco Creutzberg

Another year, another annual report, but this time for a very different organisation. I'm proud of what SMK has achieved over the past year and grateful for the opportunity and trust I was given, not only to coordinate the production of this report but also to help give it a fresh new look and feel. Ten months ago, I stepped into a field that was completely new to me. To be honest, I was also somewhat skeptical about certification labels and the role they play. But over these past months, my perspective has changed significantly. I have come to see certification labels as an important building block in creating systematic change in the way food and products are produced and sold. A label is much more than a logo on a package. Behind it are dedicated experts constantly assessing what is feasible, necessary, and impactful. It is an ongoing and dynamic process, with continuously evolving requirements to better support sustainability goals. And, of course, none of this would be possible without the producers and farmers who work tirelessly every day to provide the products we rely on, while making responsible and sustainable choices along the way. Certification is not perfect, and it is certainly not the only solution. But it is an important stepping stone towards a more sustainable future. If you're curious about the certification labels I now work with, take a look at our annual report (in Dutch) or simply browse through it: https://lnkd.in/e3S2X6zv