In a remarkable achievement for sustainable agriculture and Filipino farming innovation, Lionheart Farms has secured the prestigious "Favorite Recognition" Award in the SIAL for Change at SIAL Paris 2024, the world's largest food and beverage exhibition. This recognition comes shortly after the Philippine-based company’s triumph at the ASEAN Business Award for Agriculture/Agri-Food Based Priority Integration Sector, marking their second international accolade within a month.
Lionheart Farms, represented by their Product Manager Abigail Chang receives the first-ever Jury’s Favorite Prize of SIAL for Change, a SIAL Paris award recognizing companies that have successfully incorporated CSR into their strategy and operations, contributing to a fairer, more humane, and environmentally responsible future.
Chosen by the SIAL for Paris jury, this recognition highlights the company's innovative approach to sustainable agriculture, empowering Filipino communities with strong corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices.
Launched just this year, the first-ever SIAL for Change award recognizes transformative innovations in sustainable global food production, with Lionheart Farms named among its first five recipients.
“Our focus on health, sustainability, traceability, and accessibility aligns with key global consumer trends” CEO Christian Eyde Moeller stated. “Receiving this recognition helps build trust in our brands, COCOES and The Power of Slow, and reinforces our commitment to delivering high-quality products with a positive impact,” he added.
With the theme “Better Together for Tomorrow: Celebrating the Commitment of Businesses to a Sustainable Future,” this award program evaluates companies based on five key CSR pillars: CSR management, innovation and products, sector-specific challenges, societal impact, and sustainable exhibition practices. – Lionheart Farms excelled across these pillars, showing its leadership in sustainable agriculture.
Leading with Purpose
In partnership with the Philippine Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Lionheart Farms has launched a mountain agroforestry project in the degraded scrubland and grasslands on the South of Palawan, Philippines. This initiative has garnered praise from the jury for its innovative approach in an area where palm cultivation has historically been deforested. By focusing on organic and regenerative farming practices, our company is committed to restoring the ecosystem while ensuring that the ingredients are sustainably-sourced.
This project not only contributes to environmental recovery but also serves as a model for how agriculture can be a force for good, promoting biodiversity and sustainable livelihoods in local communities.
Setting New Standards in CSR and Innovation
Lionheart Farms' success stems from its holistic approach to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). The company combines sustainable practices and community initiatives to set new standards in global agriculture. What sets them apart is how they seamlessly blend social responsibility with their business practices.
Sustainable Agriculture and Innovation:
Lionheart Farms promotes sustainability by cultivating more than 600,000 coconut palms with organic regenerative agriculture methods , thus supporting soil health and enhancing biodiversity.
Lionheart has developed a range of innovative coconut flower sap-based products, including beverages, condiments, and sweeteners. This demonstrates the company's commitment to creating sustainable and high-quality offerings. Furthermore, it has numerous global certifications, such as USDA Organic, EU Organic, JAS, Halal, and Kosher. Additionally, Lionheart holds a BRCGS Food Safety Certification with an impressive Grade A+, demonstrating its dedication to both food safety and quality assurance.
Community Engagement and Social Impact:
Lionheart Farms has pioneered partnerships with Indigenous Cultural Communities (ICCs) and Indigenous Peoples (IPs), fostering deep connections and mutual understanding. It also established the Gabay Kalinga Foundation, which focuses on educating, elevating and engaging to the communities. Through this initiative, Lionheart provides comprehensive healthcare and educational support to local communities, ensuring their well-being and empowerment.
Also, the company has undertaken cultural preservation efforts, including the construction of a cultural center to honor and celebrate the rich heritage of the region.
Lionheart's commitment to social impact extends to the creation of sustainable employment opportunities, with a particular focus on empowering women and youth. By providing fair wages and a supportive work environment, the company aims to uplift the local population and contribute to the overall economic development of the communities it serves.
Environmental Stewardship:
Lionheart Farms actively implements organic regenerative agricultural practices that benefit the planet. The company also converts agricultural waste into bio-organic fertilizers, highlighting its commitment to sustainability.
In addition to these efforts, Lionheart utilises recyclable materials for sustainable packaging and adopts energy-efficient production processes along with water conservation measures, further reinforcing its dedication to environmental stewardship.
Employee Welfare:
Lionheart Farms places a strong emphasis on the well-being and professional development of its employees. By providing healthcare coverage for them and their families, the company ensures access to quality medical care supporting their overall health. But more than that, the company also offers numerous training programs that empower its workforce to advance their skills, and careers.
Committed to go beyond the minimum, the company upholds fair wage policies that reflect its dedication to equitable compensation. The company also prioritizes workplace safety and employee well-being, fostering an environment where team members can thrive and reach their full potential.
Lionheart Farms fosters an inclusive workplace culture, evident in the fact that 75% of its management positions are held by women. This commitment to gender diversity empowers female leaders and enriches decision-making processes, driving innovation and creating a more equitable work environment.
Transformative Initiatives
Lionheart Farms is transforming the Philippine coconut industry through its pioneering "More With Less" (MWL) project. Supported by a coalition of partners, including the Danish International Development Agency, Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), Bai-Ani Foundation, and the Philippine Coconut Authority, this five-year initiative focuses on introducing sustainable agricultural practices, promoting high-yielding coconut varieties, and providing farmers with access to critical financial resources.
The MWL project focuses on creating sustainable employment opportunities. By establishing pilot nurseries and demonstration farms, Lionheart Farms is not only showcasing best practices but also generating new jobs and skills development for the local population. This holistic approach to industry transformation is empowering coconut farmers and driving economic growth within their communities.
Through the MWL initiative, Lionheart Farms is leading the way in creating a more sustainable Philippine coconut industry. By addressing key challenges and fostering collaborative partnerships, the company is paving the way for a transformed agriculture and stronger rural communities.
Empowering Farmers: Our Farm to You Story
"Our Farm to You" initiative is all about making a real difference in the lives of Filipino farmers. More than just delivering coconut flower sap products to global markets, it’s a movement that fosters economic independence and growth in local communities in South Palawan. By providing farmers with hands-on training, resources, and the tools they need to thrive, Lionheart Farms helps them boost their yields, improve their livelihoods, and connect directly with consumers worldwide.
This approach promotes fair trade practices, ensuring a greater share of profits goes straight to the farmers. As Mr. Moeller emphasized, "We break down traditional barriers, enabling access to unique, nature-based products that not only have great taste, but are also good for both people and the planet." By simplifying the supply chain, Lionheart Farms turns its commitment to social responsibility into a meaningful reality.
Lionheart Farms' achievement at SIAL Paris 2024 highlights its commitment to sustainable agriculture and its potential to inspire similar initiatives globally. As Mr. Moeller noted, "Our journey is setting the stage for a new era of responsible farming, where the well-being of the planet and its people are always at the forefront." Lionheart Farms’ journey is a source of inspiration, proving that with hope, resilience, and a commitment to sustainability, a better world is not just a dream but a tangible possibility.
