VIP, the Association of Fruit and Vegetable Cooperatives of Val Venosta, embodies the essence of cooperative values—solidarity, shared responsibility, and mutual support—while championing sustainability and biodiversity. As a second-degree cooperative, VIP ensures stability for its 1,500 member farmers, promoting environmentally responsible farming practices.
Economic Sustainability: Securing Farmers’ Future
VIP supports farmers, who typically manage small plots averaging 3 hectares, through centralized services, logistics, and expert guidance. From selecting climate-resistant apple varieties to optimizing cold-chain logistics, VIP maximizes efficiency. Even damaged apples are repurposed into juice, concentrate, or purée, reinforcing the cooperative’s “No Food Waste in Val Venosta” principle.
ELLA: Tracking Biodiversity Efforts
To enhance biodiversity conservation, VIP follows Bioland directives, promoting hedgerow planting, perennial shrubs, and tree preservation across 70% of its farms. By 2025, all member farms will log their biodiversity actions in ELLA, a traceability platform ensuring transparency and accountability.
Protecting Pollinators: Pastures for Bees
Recognizing bees’ crucial role in pollination, VIP collaborates with local beekeepers to create flower-rich pastures in Val Venosta, offering essential pollen and nectar. These ecological restoration projects also eliminate pest-damaged trees, fostering new habitats for pollinators.
Herbicide-Free Farming: A Step Toward the Future
VIP is transitioning to mechanical weeding, now covering 28% of Val Venosta’s apple orchards. This initiative led to the launch of a 100% herbicide-free apple line, sold in eco-friendly cardboard packaging, aligning with European ecological standards and consumer demand for sustainable products.
A Sustainable Vision for the Future
Through innovation, environmental responsibility, and cooperative strength, VIP continues to prove that economic prosperity and sustainability can coexist, paving the way for a greener, more resilient agricultural future.
Source: GreenPlanet Editorial Team
