The Dole Way Our commitment to provide safe, high-quality fresh produce that’s good for people, for nature, and for food.

Dole Corporate Responsibility & Sustainability Report 2020 Contents Our Approach For People For Nature For Food

Letter from our CEO

This recent progress builds on a long Without a doubt sustainability and respect legacy of responsible behavior at Dole, for human rights are fundamental to Dole’s Dole is committed to being Over a century ago, Dole was thanks to the know-how and commitment way of operating and are essential to the founded on the principle of of our local teams working together long-term growth of our business. This “quality, quality, quality.” globally, including the significant advances should always be top-of-mind and part honest and transparent about made over previous years in improving of what we do every day, throughout This commitment is still just as true today. labor and environmental standards within our value chain, wherever we operate. the supply chain. our efforts and our impacts. Our dedication to quality drove the Following the principles of our founder, company to control the process of growing Dole believes that our scale and , we have been leaders and and delivering products to consumers and experience as a global leader in fresh innovators in our industry and have taken helped build our strong reputation, making produce means we can and must be an seriously the many challenges facing our Dole a leading brand worldwide. important actor and agent for change business and our world. As has always Today the quality concept is broader by creating products and services that been, our journey and dedication to being than the product itself. It also includes society values, establishing primary jobs, a responsible corporate steward of our sustainability, transparency, corporate efficiently using resources and leveraging communities will continue into our future responsibility and trust. All of this is at the our research capabilities and partnerships and Dole will continuously live up to our heart of our quality promise to consumers, to find solutions to challenges affecting promise to be a good neighbor in the areas retail and food service customers, food safety and supply. in which we grow, and a good citizen in all places where we operate. suppliers, parents, governments, To support these ambitions Dole has NGOs and all other stakeholders. developed a new framework called The We strive for open dialogue — including Dole Way and a new set of sustainability all critical voices — and are pledged to goals that will add momentum across our continuously improving opportunities operations, worldwide. Rooted in Dole’s for communities around the world. values and legacy of sustainable action, Stakeholders expect this of us. They the new framework and goals are designed Johan Linden want us to help find solutions and to to align with our internal business President and Chief Executive Officer, make a measurable and meaningful objectives and global frameworks such difference for people and the planet. as the United Nations Sustainability Development Goals (UN SDGs). Together Dole is committed to being honest they make it clearer than ever what our and transparent about our efforts and commitments are and where we plan to our impacts, so I am pleased to share focus our efforts in the coming years — with you Dole’s Sustainability Report for people, for nature, for food. that details both qualitatively and quantitatively our sustainability progress through the end of 2019.

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About Dole What’s inside A worldwide commitment toD olequality fresh produce by v olume sold globally in 2018 2019 revenue by produce Contents Our Approach 4 Fresh pack (whole vegetables) Fresh pack vegetables 6% (whole vegetables) For Dole Food Company is one of the world’s largest producers and Value added 7% people vegetables marketers of high-quality fresh and vegetables. We’re an 20% GRAPHIC TO BE UPDATED 10 industry leader in many of the 42% products we sell. 9% Our team of employees, growers, packers, processors, Others For shippers, and marketers is committed to consistently Value Added 15% nature providing safe, high-quality fresh fruit, vegetables vegetables 7% Diversified and food products. Dole’s dedication to quality is a commitment solidly backed by: comprehensive 21% 12% Diversified programs for food safety, scientific crop protection fruits Others 16 programs, stringent quality control measures, decades of farming expertise, state-of-the-art production and 10% transportation technologies, research and innovations for continuous improvement and value-adding For products, a global focus on healthy produce 180+ and dedication to the safety of our employees, food communities and the environment. Dole products are sold in

Dole has three main business divisions globally: Dole Tropical Fruits (based in Costa Rica), which 80 28 grows and distributes bananas, pineapples and countries worldwide other tropical fruits; Dole Diversified (based in Chile), which focuses on grapes, apples and cherries; and Dole Fresh Vegetables (based in , USA), which supplies fresh vegetables and packaged salads within North America. About this report This report summarizes key corporate responsibility and sustainability- related impacts and initiatives of Dole Food Company between 2017–2019, reported as of December 31, 2019. Unless otherwise stated, the information contained in this report pertains only to Dole’s wholly owned operations and the company’s own employee workforce. Topics addressed in this report were selected in reference to the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) framework.

2 Dole Corporate Responsibility & Sustainability Report 2019 3 Contents Our Approach For People For Nature For Food Our sustainable legacy

Dole’s focus on improving lives Key moments in our journey to date and respecting nature through our work has its roots in the early years of the company. 1988 2001 2012 Adela Rodríguez School The DALE Foundation 2010 In the early part of the 20th century, First certification of built in Honduras is created in Dole’s container fleet Dole’s evolution as a large-scale producer ISO 14001 a Dole-owned farm renewal program, and distributor of tropical fruits took the 1900 Vicente Piedrahita by Fairtrade USA initiated five years company into isolated locations with First shipment of Standard School built 1998 earlier, allows for the limited infrastructure. Growing our Fruit bananas from Honduras Dole is the first 13,000-unit fleet to business in these areas presented both to New Orleans 1981 1994 agricultural producer achieve the milestone a necessity and an opportunity to do First to Dole and other partners in the world to be of only 2 tons of much more than planting and picking fruit. introduce open Recyplast, which certified to the CO e emitted from It meant that our presence could make a 2 1927 refrigerated turns bags and twine environmental refrigerants per big difference to local economies and that Mazapan School containers from banana farming management container, down from we could make an even bigger difference built in Honduras for fruit into useful products standard ISO 14001 over 20 in 2004 by directly supporting employees’ transportation and communities’ health, education in 1981 and other needs. Going beyond the normal expectations became an integral part of Dole’s way of doing business. And that continues to define how we go about our work today. 1924 1960 1997 2000 2007 2020 The Vicente Introduction of the After pioneering organic Dole is the first agricultural Dole introduces a Dole unveils d’Antoni Hospital is cardboard box to banana procurement in company to have one of its label that lets European its refreshed social built in Honduras, transport bananas, 1995, Dole planted the divisions certified to social consumers go responsibility providing medical reducing waste in first organic bananas accountability standard online to track the and sustainability care to farm the supply chain in Honduras SA 8000 sustainability path framework workers and of bananas communities ST SA 8000 1991 Dole launches the “Dole 5 A Day” campaign to 1 encourage kids and their families to eat nutritious fresh produce every day

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Our new framework Our 2030 goals The Dole Way

We’re committed to growing, processing Dole’s new framework paves the way for This is the first time Dole has set In addition to our enterprise-level goals, and distributing our produce responsibly, further improvements in areas where we enterprise-wide sustainability goals – an each Dole business division is also working For over 150 years, Dole has and this is our promise – today and for believe we can make the biggest positive To complement our new important milestone on our sustainability to achieve its own set of goals, tailored delivered nutritious, high- every generation to come. Because impacts. Developed in coordination with framework, we’ve introduced journey as a company. The goals were to the specifics of the produce they grow, quality produce around the being a responsible business is second Dole’s three main business divisions, a new set of sustainability developed in workshops attended by pack or distribute and the needs of their nature to us. the framework is intended to be easily representatives from Dole’s three divisions local communities. world while preserving the understood yet thorough enough goals designed to translate plus Dole Corporate, which means they We’re making it clearer than ever what that there can be no doubt about reflect our combined ambitions and land from which it is grown, our commitments are as a company “The Dole Way” focus areas where we’re making a stand. commitment to making a positive impact. as well as supporting and – and where we plan to focus our into tangible action. We’ll share updates on our progress in efforts into the future. enhancing global communities. future Dole sustainability reports. For people For food Social impact Food safety Health and nutrition

Goal Devote at least $0.07 per box of Donate 2,500 tons of fresh fruit Implement blockchain Reach 750 million cumulative Dole-branded bananas and and produce to underserved product-tagging technology impressions annually across all pineapples sold to fund local communities by 2025 and/or advanced traceability of Dole’s health, nutrition and community impact projects for solutions in all Dole divisions wellness education initiatives the next five years, resulting in a by 2025 by 2025 cumulative social investment of $50 million by 2025

For people Our “For people” goals expand on Dole’s Dole is already participating in a major blockchain rollout in long-running social impact programs which include the work of the U.S. – in support of supply chain transparency and food safety. foundations in Ecuador, Peru, and with the participation of

progress To read more, turn to page 33. We commit to: Notes on our fruit suppliers. Improve the livelihoods For an update, turn to pages 14-15.

of individuals across our These goals support UN This goal supports UN UN Sustainable Development Sustainable Development entire business – from SDGs Goals 3 and 9. farmers to customers Goals 2 and 3. For nature Water Farm-level GHG emissions Shipping GHG emissions Waste and recycling

Goal Achieve 100% optimized water practices in Dole Achieve net zero carbon Reduce emissions from Ensure that all Dole operated farms and packing facilities by 2025 emissions from Dole- shipping by 30% by 2030 tropical fruits packaging managed operations (from 2015 levels) materials are either by 2030 recyclable or compostable by 2025

For nature For food Each of our divisions is defining what “water This goal reflects the scale Building on recent large We’re testing several optimization” looks like in its operations and has of Dole’s ambition to make scale investments in our options for compostable We commit to: We commit to: set specific targets, including: a real difference on climate fleet, we are committed alternatives to conventional progress Notes on change. By 2025, we will to making significant consumer-level packaging Protect the natural Provide retailers and • Diversified: 100% of drip irrigation and 25% less water in fruit processing annually. assess the feasibility of reductions in emissions for fruit products, as well environments in which we consumers with safe, healthy, potentially expanding this from our shipping. as options for returnable • Tropical Fruits: Implement water recycling systems goal beyond the farm-level containers. Learn more on our progress operate to reduce our impact nutritious and responsibly in 100% of all Dole-owned banana and to include Scope 1 and 2 to date on page 25. Learn more about our and strengthen habitats grown food packing facilities, and design and install fully-automated emissions enterprise-wide. water irrigation systems in 50% of the areas under waste and recycling irrigation (aim to reach 100% by 2030). Learn more on page 24. efforts on page 26. • Fresh Vegetables: 75% drip irrigation For an update on water stewardship at Dole, turn to page 20.

These goals support UN UN Sustainable SDGs Development Goals 6, 12, 13, and 17. 6 7 Contents Our Approach For People For Nature For Food Engaging with stakeholders

Dole engages with others across the business, governmental and the nonprofit spheres – to find solutions to pressing issues in the food and industries.

Multi-stakeholder initiatives Sustainability partnerships

World Banana Forum Global Food Safety Initiative WWF GIZ Since 2009, the World Banana Forum has played a key role Dole is a board-level participant and takes part in working Dole, WWF and Germany’s largest retailer, EDEKA, worked With GIZ, a Germany-government agency that specializes in in helping the to maintain industry-wide groups that set the standards issued by this global initiative, together to bring sustainably certified WWF labeled bananas sustainable development, Dole has completed a Public/Private dialogue on key topics and challenges, including sustainability which convenes key stakeholders in the and grown in Ecuador and Colombia to EDEKA stores. It was the Partnership project for integrated sustainable management of a issues. Dole is a founding member of the Forum and engages with governments in over 60 countries to drive first time WWF has put its name on a conventionally grown Dole-owned in Costa Rica – a model that may participates in its steering committee and in several continuous improvement of food safety systems around food product. be applied to additional sites in the future and which included working groups. the world. efforts in biodiversity, renewable energy, environmental education, reforestation and climate quality.

IDH: The Sustainable Trade Initiative Center for Produce Safety With support from several European governments, IDH Dole is on the board of this industry-wide partnership, which brings together companies, governments, nonprofits and brings together leaders from business, government, scientific Produce for Better Health Foundation Action for Healthy Kids other stakeholders to find innovative green and socially and academic communities to identify and advance the research Dole is a board-level member of the Produce for Better Through a strategic partnership with Action for Healthy Kids responsible approaches to economic growth. Since 2014, needed to continuously enhance food safety. Dole also takes Health Foundation, a U.S.-based nonprofit that promotes that began in 2019, Dole is delivering a new digital nutrition Dole has been active in Sustainability Initiative Fruits part in a research-related working group. increased daily consumption of fruits and vegetables. toolkit that provides 140,000 parents and educators with and Vegetables (SIFAV), which is coordinated by IDH. dozens of interactive resources to support healthy eating, reaching more than 22 million children in the .

Musa Breeding Corporation Dole, in conjunction with other industry partners and the Honduran Research Foundation (FHIA), is working on the development of banana varieties that are resistant to Tropical Race 4 (TR4), a disease affecting banana crops in several production regions.

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For Dole is committed to continuously improving the lives and livelihoods of people and communities across our entire company.

Dole employees around the world share People a common purpose – providing nutritious, high-quality fresh fruit and vegetables to help feed the world. Together, we take pride in making that happen, every day. Our main core values of Integrity, Loyalty, Commitment and Respect are there to guide every decision we make, and to inspire everyone at Dole to constantly go further in positively impacting people’s lives through our work. Everywhere Dole operates, we have policies that respect human rights and the International Labor Organization (ILO) conventions. And we take steps not only to support our employees with education, training and good working conditions, but also to positively impact their families and the wider communities, too.

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Supporting employees Good working conditions

Training and career development Workplace equality Fair employment practices In many rural agricultural areas Education and continuous training are Non-discrimination in the workplace Dole wants to be viewed as the Dole does not engage in or condone Understanding around the world, there is little cornerstones of Dole’s approach to talent is a hallmark of Dole’s working practices, employer of choice everywhere forced labor of any kind, and everyone management. Dole has a longstanding as required by the Dole Code of Conduct. throughout the company’s workforce employees’ living economic development and culture of helping employees to acquire In the U.S., for example, Dole voluntarily we operate around the world. is required to comply with all relevant conditions limited job opportunities. Dole’s new skills and move up the ranks within implements an affirmative action plan So complying with applicable laws and regulations related to child labor. the company. Talent development is to promote equal opportunities and Our Code of Conduct prohibits Dole Dole is the first agricultural presence has the potential to managed at the divisional and site level, conducts an annual audit to assess labor codes is often just the from doing business with any individual company in the world to apply make a real difference in our with each division offering programs progress against the plan. The plan beginning of what we do. or company who is engaged in child labor, the Oxford University-developed and opportunities that are relevant calls for hiring that reflects the local slavery or human trafficking. employees’ lives. We see this Multi-Dimensional Poverty to its workforce. demographics in the communities around Health, safety and welfare In and Index (MPI) to its own workers. as one of our most important Dole’s facilities, and each facility sets At Dole’s salad processing plant in specifically, Dole’s management practices targets based on those demographics. Dole is committed to providing a safe, The MPI – which is the United social impacts – and aim to Soledad, California, for example, include checks to avoid child labor, and healthy working environment to all Nation’s official poverty index – cultivate good employee employees are offered free English there are clauses in suppliers’ contracts employees, whatever their role. Farms was originally created to analyze and high school classes each weekday requiring them not to engage in these relationships that will grow and facilities are regularly audited to check poverty country-by-country, and afternoon, as well as skills training in areas practices. Where relevant, Dole also for worker welfare, such as ensuring that the methodology has been and develop over many years such as packaging machine operation, provides training to ensure site managers Supporting female someone at the site is clearly responsible pioneered by Costa Rica for use by forklift driving and supervisory skills. understand these issues. In reality, forced of service within the company. for workers’ health, safety and welfare and companies. workers in Costa Rica that workers have access to clean drinking or child labor is not prevalent in our water and other basic amenities. In Dole’s industry, in part because governments We are interviewing every Dole In Costa Rica, Dole continues Tropical Fruits Division, these checks are in key fruit and producing worker in Costa Rica. The objective to recruit female workers on managed under our own integrated countries have implemented stringent is to better understand their pineapple plantations, in an management system, and many Dole regulations and laws to prevent socio-economic conditions – effort to make pineapple and supplier sites around the world these practices. information that could help the cultivation more gender inclusive. are audited against social standards company to identify the most 9.79 By actively recruiting female and company requirements. Freedom of association vulnerable populations and prioritize efforts to improve their livelihoods. As of 2018, Dole workers, Dole aims to support Dole respects the International Labor In Ecuador and Peru, the DALE Foundation, To that end, Dole plans to involve employees globally had gender equity in an area of Organization (ILO) conventions on with the support of Dole and independent various national stakeholders, from Costa Rican agriculture that has freedom of association. Dole employees been with the company growers, has a program to help growers government agencies to private traditionally been dominated by are free to join labor unions and to for an average of enhance the health and safety programs organizations and social services all-male crews. Across our four participate in collective bargaining through at their sites. The foundation provides agencies that might have programs 9.79 years. pineapple plantations in the country, representatives of their own choosing. infrastructure to two schools, runs courses in place to assist. The MPI program 90% of the harvest crews included More than 11,000 Dole employees around and workshops to improve health and might also be expanded to other female members as of early 2019. the world were members of trade unions as safety for households, and helps the local Dole locations across Latin America of the end of 2018. We have many ongoing community develop small businesses to in the future. forward livelihoods. agreements in place, and we maintain positive relationships with the unions Fair wages and other labor organizations. Dole’s employees always receive the legally required compensation and Union members by location benefits. Throughout Latin America, the Europe 345 wages paid by Dole are on average 20% Latin America 8,675 above the legal minimum. Dole has also Chile 112 been actively involved in living wage United States 1,712 initiatives in the produce industry, South Africa 47 as new methodologies emerge and the awareness grows around the issue.

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Community development DALE Foundation: Improving lives in Latin America

In Costa Rica, three community centers The DALE Foundation’s impact: Health, education and have been built through a Fairtrade Nearly 20 years ago, Dole and GOAL • Over 1,604,900 health interventions program established by Dole and its By 2025, our goal is to expand carried out since 2000 entrepreneurship are the employees. The centers offer academic a group of independent growers the role of the DALE Foundation • 80,000 people directly benefit each training, occupational courses and health key focus areas for Dole’s in Ecuador set up a foundation throughout the Latin year, across more than 100 communities fairs – open to everyone in the community. 7,700 American region. community development efforts. school kits were donated with a clear purpose: find ways • In 2018, over 16,000 people took part in Dole gives back to the children of Dole to improve the lives of workers the foundation’s training program, which In the U.S., Dole’s farms and facilities covered health prevention, environment The foundation has established two support community initiatives that have At the corporate level, Dole’s sponsorships employees in Latin America and communities in and protection, entrepreneurship, and more schools since its founding and supports been nominated by employees or where and philanthropic giving focus mainly in 2018, as part of an around the companies’ farms others by providing infrastructure • 2 schools in which approximately there is a clear local need. In Salinas, on health and exercise. For example, annual initiative. and facilities. improvements and health programs 800 students are educated each year California, for example, employee-led Dole has sponsored marathons, races for students. teams take part in annual “Relay for Life” and cycling events. The DALE Foundation continues its work events to benefit the American Cancer Another of the foundation’s key programs to fulfill that mission today in both Ecuador Society. And at our salad processing plant is called Training for Entrepreneurship. and Peru. In 2000, the foundation adapted in Ohio, employees have taken part in an The objective is to train people so that GOALS mobile medical units with the objective annual ALS fundraising walk to discover they can establish a small business and Devote at least $0.07 per box of of bringing health to the farthest places treatments and a cure for Amyotrophic thus improve family income and at the Dole-branded bananas and where our workers live. They also Lateral Sclerosis. Dole was an official local same time improve their quality of life. pineapples sold to fund local have been used to offer emergency sponsor of the event in 2017 and 2018. The foundation also offers workshops community impact projects for the medical interventions in the wake of next five years, resulting in a and talks on topics that are relevant Dole’s Fresh Vegetables Division makes events such as floods. As of 2019, there cumulative social investment of to communities. annual donations to the United Way are a total of 18 medical facilities in $50 million by 2025. and provides a payroll deduction option operation, five of which are mobile. for employee donations. The business Donate 2,500 tons of fresh fruit This service benefits not only agricultural also supports the Boys and Girls Club by and produce to underserved workers and their families, but also sponsoring an annual fundraising event. communities by 2025. others in the community who need medical assistance.

New community centers by and for Dole pineapple workers In 2017, Dole and Fairtrade USA are earned with every purchase. After $36M inaugurated two new community four years, the workers chose to invest centers at Dole’s Muelle and Bosque these funds into community centers. The DALE Foundation has pineapple farms in Costa Rica. The farmworkers identified a critical invested over $36 million need and invested in a project that The community centers were made to date, mainly in education, will serve the community for possible by Fairtrade purchases at decades to come. medical and community Whole Foods Market stores, which development programs, drive additional money to pineapple To date, more than 8,400 people farmworkers to invest in projects have benefited from activities held since 2005. of their choosing. at the community centers, including health campaigns and fairs as well as To earn Fairtrade certification, farms must educational and technical programs adhere to rigorous social, environmental impacting our workers, families and and economic standards. Once certified as local communities. Fairtrade, Community Development Funds

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For decades, Dole has been innovating to push the boundaries of sustainable agriculture – to find more efficient and more environmentally sustainable ways to grow fruits and vegetables to help feed the world.

Today, Dole’s researchers and growers are working harder than ever to scale up past innovations and implement techniques, varieties and practices that can increase yields, improve soil health and/or optimize the use of water, energy, conventional fertilizers and crop protection products. In nature, everything is connected. So, often a single agricultural idea turns out to have multiple environmental and For commercial benefits. Nature

16 17 Contents Our Approach For People For Nature For Food Agricultural innovation Finding solutions to pests and diseases

The main objective: continuous In the U.S., Dole researchers are agricultural science and technology experimenting with ways to increase Continuous improvement is an innovations that can help our growers plant density for vegetable crops such Much of Dole’s agricultural integral part of The Dole Way. to increase yields and produce fruits and as cauliflower, lettuce, celery and research has focused on ways Dole’s Tropical Fruits Division, vegetables more efficiently, which are romaine with the goal of reducing total to address pests and crop often better for the planet and for society acres farmed along with the amount based in Costa Rica, has had – not least because it can mean using of water, fertilizer and crop protection diseases – to keep them under an active research and less water, energy and land to produce that’s needed per acre. The amount control, which can help to innovation department for nutritious food to help feed the world’s of tractor work required at the end reduce potential food loss. growing population. of each season is also being reduced, almost 60 years – a rarity in the leading to a smaller carbon footprint. Sometimes the innovation takes the form For decades, Dole has been refining the industry as a whole. Dole also of new varieties of produce. In Chile, for Dole researchers in the U.S. and Costa techniques growers use to protect tropical has research teams in Chile, example, there have been new varieties Rica are also experimenting with the fruit crops from diseases such as black focusing on innovation in of grapes (Autumn Crisp and Sweet use of GPS on field prep tractors for sigatoka and pests including nematodes Globe), cherries (Regina) and blueberries vegetables and pineapple crops to increase and weevils, as part of an integrated pest deciduous fruits, and in the (Top Shelf), all with higher yields, sweeter tillage efficiencies – for a more precise and management system. taste and firmer fruit that lasts longer. efficient use of heavy farm equipment U.S., supporting Dole’s Fresh More recently, Dole and its partners have resulting in better care of the soil and Vegetables business. been working to address the potential decreased fuel consumption. spread of Fusarium Wilt Tropical Race 4, or TR4, a soil-borne disease that has affected banana crops on several continents in recent years. Organic or conventional produce? We think the best answer is a better version of both Taking action to prevent the spread of TR4 At Dole, we are committed to Since TR4 started moving west from Asia continuously improving both our in 2012, Dole and the industry began to conventional and organic farming develop a variety of measures aimed at techniques to make them more containing the disease. Following the sustainable. discovery of TR4 in northern Colombia in 2019, we have reinforced the protocols in Developing a TR4-resistant In our tropical fruits business, for order to prevent it from spreading further. banana variety example, we work under the principles of Integrated Pest Management, For example, we have restricted access to Dole is actively engaged in the effort to reducing the need for crop protection our farms and have issued strict guidelines ensure long-term sustainability of banana products. We look for ways to apply and procedures for any travel by Dole supply, despite the threat of TR4. or adapt organic farming techniques personnel to countries and locations Since 2016, Dole has been part of a to conventional crops, to improve where TR4 is known to be present. consortium that is working, with the our agricultural practices, and to Meanwhile, each Dole banana farm has Honduran Research Foundation (FHIA), apply insights gained in conventional been updating and, where necessary, on the development of banana varieties farming to help organic operations strengthening its site-specific TR4 that are resistant to TR4. Breeding a scale to meet increasing demand. prevention plans and activities. The plans new kind of banana is painstaking work, are risk-based and rooted in the layout and few organizations have as much and location of the farm. experience in this area as FHIA. The research team is making good progress, Dole also continues to share best practices having made more than 10 million hand with independent growers and to engage pollinations and thus bringing a new with governments, multi-stakeholder variety ever closer to becoming a reality. initiatives and industry partners – to ensure that our actions are coordinated with the wider response, both in Latin America and globally. 18 19 Contents Our Approach For People For Nature For Food Water stewardship Soil conservation

Under drip irrigation, plants are fed exactly Pineapple growing practices Finding ways to reduce water the amount of water and fertilizer they Soil is the most important asset In 2008, Dole began implementing and Soil health techniques need for optimal growth. By early 2019, requiring growers to make a fundamental use on farms and at packing the rollout was about 90% complete. on any farm, and good soil change in pineapple production in Costa on banana plantations and processing facilities In South Africa, over 75% of Dole’s grape conservation practices are a key Rica. Instead of spraying the plants with is a challenge Dole has been farms use either drip or micro irrigation. 25% part of sustainable agriculture. herbicide and burning them after a harvest less water is needed (which had been the common industry working on for many years Data from a variety of sources, including probes positioned at six depths in the soil, when modern drip In many locations, Dole has been farming practice for many years), farms began – with steady progress are continually monitored in order to irrigation techniques the same land for decades. Looking after shredding the plants, incorporating the schedule irrigation at times and in amounts organic matter into the soil and using that continues today. are applied. the soil is part of the job, because healthier that will be best for the plants. Water for soil can mean healthier crops with better micro-organisms to help break down this these farms comes from the Orange quality, size, color, taste and shelf life. green matter faster, adding nutrients Water recycling systems River, a sustainable water source that to Sound soil conservation and management to the soil. A good example is water recycling. date has not been affected by droughts practices have allowed Dole farms to Over time, Dole and its growers began A banana packing plant with a water that have occurred elsewhere in South consistently produce high yields, healthier to see significant improvements in soil reuse system uses up to 80% less water Africa. In 2018, the farms used In our Tropical Fruits Division, research plants, and maintain good soil while health. Organic matter in the soil increased The application of beneficial than a facility without one installed. In approximately 11,500 cubic meters of and innovation professionals design minimizing environmental impact. Good by about 25%, while the need for micro-organisms at Dole banana Dole’s Tropical Fruits Division, which source water, substantially less than the systems to optimize water use, both soil practices mean less erosion, which is synthetic fertilizers decreased. plantations in Latin America is grows and distributes bananas, pineapples 15,000 cubic meters permitted by the at company-owned farms and those of good for the surrounding environment. showing promising signs that and other tropical fruits, 78% of packing relevant authority – and a testament to independent growers. Field research Crop rotation at vegetable farms increased soil health can increase plants utilize water reuse systems. the ongoing water management efforts helps to determine the exact water yields and reduce the need for in place at these farms. requirements for each banana plant as Vegetable farms operated by Dole use synthetic fertilizers. well as the optimal calibration of soil both crop and land rotation to maintain Irrigation design and techniques In areas of our Fresh Vegetables Division moisture probes, allowing growers to soil health and support optimal yields. At our farm in La Gomera in Dole’s Diversified Division has been where drip irrigation would provide establish irrigation programs that are Dole’s researchers continually experiment Guatemala, Dole has successfully working to change over all of its optimum quality or yields, 60% of the the best for the crop while saving water. with new rotation practices to discover introduced a practice of using agricultural sites (both those owned by acreage operated by Dole had been In banana farming, the water savings which provide the best organic matter and micro-organisms to break down Dole and those of independent growers) converted to drip irrigation by 2018, are best suited to suppress diseases that from the use of these modern techniques crop residue – the leaves and parts to drip irrigation, which uses 25% less with a goal of achieving 75% by 2025. may be present in the growing area. is estimated to be at least 25%. of banana plants that stay behind in water compared to older methods. the field after harvest – improving In , all Dole-owned farms use plants’ root systems and increasing water-efficient drip irrigation. A real-time absorption of nutrients, for increased soil moisture monitoring system helps yields. Since the original trial in 2017, growers to determine when and how the technique is being tested at much to irrigate. Pineapples are planted banana farms across the region under a mulch film, which reduces to see if those farms can achieve evaporation, meaning less water is needed, similar results. and all water used for Dole’s Hawaiian pineapple crops is recycled or re-used At a Dole organic banana plantation surface water rather than groundwater. in Manabí, Ecuador, growers and researchers have been experimenting with the reintroduction of biological activity in compost as a way to GOAL naturally improve soil health. Achieve 100% optimized water practices in Dole-managed farms and packing facilities by 2025.

20 21 Contents Our Approach For People For Nature For Food Responsible crop protection Protecting nature

A targeted herbicide application system developed in partnership with a local university in Costa Rica has reduced the In some locations, Dole’s Protecting biodiversity in Costa Rica use of herbicides on some Dole tropical agricultural operations are lands around the plantation. This fruit farms by up to 60% compared to near or adjacent to forests, first-of-its-kind study documented a 2007 baseline. watersheds or other natural the presence of at least 13 species of Advances in planting density, crop yields amphibians and reptiles, eight species and crop rotation practices can all have environments. of mammals plus a variety of beetles a positive impact on the amount of and aquatic micro-invertebrates. Good agricultural practices, implemented crop protection products that are in line with applicable laws and best Researchers also found that forest needed overall. practices, help to prevent negative land within the Estrella Valley impacts to these habitats. plantation boundaries make the site Safe use of crop effectively carbon neutral. In Costa protection products For example, careful soil preparation Rica, almost one-third of the land techniques are not only good for the farm Users of crop protection products receive At Valle La Estrella in Costa Rica, Dole, Dole owns is covered by forests itself, but can also help to prevent erosion training on the safe use and handling GIZ (a German government agency) or other natural ecosystems. that could impact aquatic life in nearby of agrichemicals and undergo medical and local NGOs have completed the rivers and streams. In many locations, The Green Star study provides a examination and cholinesterase “Green Star” three-year study into Dole maintains forests or other natural baseline for additional monitoring and monitoring (if applicable). At each farm, the biodiversity in Estrella Valley, buffer zones between the crops and could offer a model for similar studies management system practices thoroughly where a Dole-owned banana surrounding ecosystems. at agricultural sites in the region and define the safety precautions that must plantation sits adjacent to the Hitoy beyond. By raising awareness both be followed when crop protection Cerere Biological Reserve. locally and internationally of the products are applied, and audits are Community volunteers were given biodiversity found in these areas, regularly performed to check that the training and sent into the field for three the study will help to ensure these procedures are being followed. consecutive years to catalog animal habitats are valued and well cared biodiversity on non-agricultural for into the future. For example, to help eradicate European grapevine moth populations at farms in Dole’s company-wide policy Chile, Dole growers have introduced is to use crop protection pheromones designed to prevent male products only when and where moths from being able to find mates Dole maintains over and procreate. necessary, and always with the Research innovations have helped to proper care and in accordance further optimize the use of crop protection with applicable laws. products. On Dole tropical fruit 3,000 plantations, for example, switching to hectares (over 7,000 acres) Whenever possible, Dole growers more precise application methods has of forest on its banana make use of natural approaches for helped to cut the use of post-harvest and pineapple farms. controlling pests and plant diseases, fungicides by about 80% compared to including biological controls (such as a 2000 baseline. beneficial predatory wasps that attack certain harmful insect pests) and bioantagonists (micro-organisms that infect specific pests).

22 23 Contents Our Approach For People For Nature For Food

Minimizing our carbon footprint

For example, one of our salad plants At Dole-owned farms in Hawaii, for Reducing CO2 during shipping is installing wind turbines that, when example, over a third of crops are irrigated Research suggests that transportation is Dole recognizes that climate operational, are expected to generate using a zero-electricity gravity-charged the biggest source of CO2 emissions in change is real and that the 5.4MW of low-carbon energy – 68% system, and at Dole’s fresh fruit packing Dole’s farm-to-retailer value chain, in some food and agriculture industries of the facility’s energy needs. At Dole plant in Wahiawa, photovoltaic panels cases comprising up to about two-thirds of production facilities in California, provide 33% of electricity. A new system have a role to play in mitigating the carbon footprint. Specialized shipping North Carolina and Ohio, more than that converts waste biomass to electricity and distribution companies carry out much its effects. 4,500 light bulbs have been changed is expected to be ready for use in 2020, of this work, but Dole has its own fleet of to energy-saving LEDs. further reducing Dole’s climate footprint 15 ships and about 15,000 refrigerated In Dole’s agricultural and office-based in Hawaii. containers, delivering fresh tropical fruit operations, we’ve taken many steps to Clean energy on Dole’s farms In Costa Rica, Dole has partnered with from Latin America to North America and improve efficiency and save energy. At the farm level, Dole continues to take a local solar provider to install over 2,500 Europe. That gives us an opportunity to many steps to reduce the carbon footprint solar panels at four banana packing plants make changes that can make a significant of agricultural operations, such as and the farm office – to supply over 90% and positive impact. replacing older farm equipment with of the electricity needs at these sites. Dole continually renews its fleet with The International Maritime Organization newer, more efficient equipment and more efficient vessels. In 2017, we brought has set a limit for sulphur in fuel oil used adopting methods that require fewer three new ships into the fleet, reducing on board ships (for ships operating outside Tech-led delivery fertilizer and crop protection products – carbon emissions on our Pacific Coast of designated emission control areas) which ultimately means fewer emissions. GOAL efficiencies in Chile Achieve net zero carbon emissions at distribution route by about 30% on a per effective from January 1, 2020. Dole fully unit basis and reducing total emissions embraces and supports this new standard, the farm-level from Dole-managed Dole’s business in Chile has from distribution of Central and South which should have major health and operations by 2030. introduced software that’s helping American-grown tropical fruits in the environmental benefits. To comply with See page 7 for details. to increase efficiency in the local U.S. by about 10%. the new standard, Dole is installing distribution of vegetables. scrubber systems on five of the vessels We have also been replacing the it uses to transport tropical fruit. The Quadminds software uses an containers we use to transport tropical algorithm to select the best routes fruits to the U.S., with about 500 newer – which means food can arrive and more efficient units rotated into the Moving fruit with electric trucks fresher and with fewer emissions fleet each year. In 2004, the container At the Port of San Diego in California, from deliveries. It’s estimated that fleet had 24.3 tons of CO -equivalent Dole has introduced zero-emission electric 2 at least two fewer vehicles are now emissions per unit per year, and by 2018 trucks as part of a demonstration project needed to cover the same number that number was reduced to 2.6 tons that will help the San Diego Port Tenants of Dole deliveries, with up to 8% – with a total reduction of 244,000 metric Association fulfill its plan to reduce less carbon emissions as a result. tons, compared to 2004 performance, greenhouse gas emissions by 10% by which is roughly equal to removing 2020 and 25% by 2035. The electric 53,000 average-sized passenger cars trucks replaced diesel-fueled trucks used from the roads in a given year. in the loading and unloading of bananas and pineapples, saving an estimated 40.76 metric tons of GHGs annually and helping the port to achieve a projected GOAL total reduction of 944 metric tons. Reduce emissions from shipping by 30% by 2030 (from 2015 levels).

24 25 Contents Our Approach For People For Nature For Food

Waste reduction Our standards and recycling and certifications

Dole salad processing facilities in North Sustainability certifications Sustainability in Carolina and Ohio have introduced reuse Third-party certifications and audits, along Dole’s supply chain The U.S. Embassy and recycling of cardboard cartons and Dole’s senior leadership sets with stringent Dole-implemented standards In addition to Dole’s own farms, in Costa Rica presented its bins. Fiber bins used for transporting the company’s approach to developed over many years, help our the company sources fresh fruit and bulk vegetables are reused three times, first-ever Environmental corporate responsibility and customers and other stakeholders to know vegetables from independent growers on average. The North Carolina salad that the fruit and vegetables we sell have around the world. Many of our supplier Sustainability Award to facility recycled nearly three million sustainability in broad terms, Recyplast in 2019, been produced in accordance with the relationships stretch back over many pounds of cardboard in 2018. and the Dole Code of Conduct highest environmental and labor standards. in recognition of the years of knowledge sharing and mutual establishes core values and Additionally, many large retailers have their growth. Growers are required to comply organization’s Less waste during vegetable expectations that apply to all own detailed requirements for the fresh with the Dole Code of Conduct and processing produce sold in their stores – and require pioneering work. Dole employees everywhere Supplier Manual and conduct regular Dole’s vegetable processing plants in regular audits to confirm compliance audits to help to ensure that good the U.S. have launched several initiatives in the world. with those requirements. agricultural and social practices are aimed at reducing waste, including sending followed. In many cases, Dole customers all vegetable matter culled during salad Each division, operation and employee require their own audits, and the same is responsible for managing their work ISO 14001 and SA 8000 certifications that are required of Dole preparation for composting rather than to Dole was the first agricultural company to landfills. The installation of new, precision in ways that live up to those standards. achieve these international environmental operations are also required of the equipment, combined with process Dole businesses develop and maintain and social certifications, which along with independent grower. improvements, are helping to reduce management practices in line with a deep Dole’s own standards formed the basis food waste during processing – and understanding of the agricultural, scientific for development of the Dole integrated there are plans for additional installations and social aspects of the work in that part management system that is used by the company’s tropical fruits business. that could further reduce food waste. of our company – as well as the expectations of the division’s key stakeholders, Global GAP and GFSI Over one million pounds of raw vegetable wherever they may be in the world. material had been saved at Dole’s North Many major retailers require Global Good Carolina salad processing facility by Agricultural Practice certification and/or The Dole Code of Conduct certifications against one of the programs Recyplast, a joint venture recycling the middle of 2019, thanks to yield recognized by the Global Food Safety Dole requires all employees, long-term On farms and in processing company established in Costa Rica by improvements. Initiative. In 2018, all products shipped Dole, Del Monte and the Montecristo contractors and key suppliers to affirm by Dole Fresh Vegetables were grown plants, Dole’s “reduce, reuse Group, celebrated its 25th anniversary in Consumer packaging innovations their commitment to uphold the principles on GFSI-compliant farms, for example. 2018. Recyplast was created to recycle defined in the Dole Code of Conduct and recycle” approach Dole supports the recent push within banana bags and twine from farms into Code of Conduct, and to regularly reaffirm Certified organic the banana industry to replace plastic continues to foster initiatives plastic corner boards used to maintain that commitment. The Code includes key Dole is the world’s largest shipper consumer bags with bands of tape pallets during transport. Over the years, policies and expectations of certified-organic bananas and aimed at creating less waste. to reduce the overall use of plastic. pineapples and has a growing footprint Recyplast has expanded to receive plastic on a wide range of topics, from ethics But we believe it is also possible to go as a distributor of organic vegetables from other agricultural operations such and legal requirements to our commitment Plastic recycling and reuse further. We’re testing several options and packaged salads, too. In 2018, Dole as pineapples and melons. In addition to to support local communities and shipped 270,00 metric tons of organic for compostable alternatives to On Dole’s banana plantations, plastic field agricultural plastics, the facility now relies our policies on workplace behavior, bananas and pineapples globally. conventional consumer-level packaging bags and sheaths used to protect banana on post-consumer plastic waste, including community impacts and the responsible for these products, as well as options stems from insects and damage during materials sourced from small, woman- use of crop protection products. Fairtrade for returnable containers. growing are reused or recycled. Plastic owned organizations in Costa Rica. Stakeholders are encouraged to report Dole distributes Fairtrade-certified twine used in the growing process is any concerns via Dole’s internet or bananas from the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Colombia, Costa Rica and Peru also recycled. Dole’s Diversified Division is telephone hotline (via contact details and Fairtrade-certified pineapples from experimenting with more sustainable GOAL found within the Code of Conduct itself). alternatives to the use of conventional Costa Rica to markets in Europe and the Ensure that all Dole tropical fruits United States. plastic that fruit is packed in to prevent packaging materials are either ripening during transport. Two new recyclable or compostable by 2025. Rainforest Alliance fruit-bag technologies are being assessed A majority of Dole banana and pineapple to determine their suitability as a large- operations have been certified by the scale substitute for conventional materials. Rainforest Alliance, signaling that the fruit is grown on farms that meet stringent sustainable agriculture criteria.

26 27 Contents Our Approach For People For Nature For Food

As one of the world’s leading food companies, Dole stands for quality fresh produce – and to us, that means safe, nutritious fruits and vegetables that taste as good as they look.

Everyone who works at Dole is passionate about providing safe, high-quality fruit and vegetables that help feed the world. And we’re all united by a shared desire to make sure it’s the freshest, safest and most nutritious produce on the market. Our ultimate goal as a company is to support healthy living through nutritious food. We’re constantly innovating to bring consumers tastier, simpler products and to find creative, scientifically backed ways to promote nutrition – especially among kids. And we’re working tirelessly with our For partners and other stakeholders around the world to increase the availability of Food fresh, delicious produce.

28 29 Contents Our Approach For People For Nature For Food Promoting healthy eating

Healthy, nutritious salads Dole’s new salad graphics, launched in In the U.S., Dole is constantly innovating late 2017, were designed to make it to bring tasty, nutritious salad options to easy for consumers to review nutritional grocery store shelves, giving consumers and ingredient information when making a quick and easy way to create healthy decisions in-store. meals at home. For example, our new Bountiful KitsTM combine fresh vegetables with custom dressings and hearty, plant-based ingredients. Inside each bag GOAL is a packet with different combinations Reach 750 million cumulative 1M impressions annually across all of subscribers receive Dole’s of fresh grains, seeds, corn, lentils, beans or peppers which provide a Dole’s health, nutrition and wellness Nutrition News newsletter satiating salad that “eats like a meal.” initiatives programs by 2025. – with insights and tips on how to enjoy a healthy, plant-forward diet - each month. Putting our commitment into practice Dole and Disney: encouraging kids to choose fruit Disney’s movie Since 2016, The Walt Disney characters have Company-owned movie characters appeared on more than have been appearing on Dole products such as bananas, pineapples and vegetables at grocery stores across the U.S. servings9B of Dole The idea behind the collaboration is to produce since 2016. give parents a helping hand in getting Bringing nutrition education their kids to choose healthier meals to schools in Greece and snacks, while giving kids an added In Greece, Dole has been funding reason to be excited about choosing Nutrition education In the U.S., Dole is a founding member nutrition education programs in schools healthier foods. Fresh fruits and vegetables are Dole publishes dozens of plant-forward of the National 5 A Day For Better Health since 2012 in partnership with the Greek recipes each year to inspire consumers Program and is the produce industry Promotions are timed to coincide Ministry of Education. a key part of a healthy diet, so leader in developing technology-based with Disney releases. For example, to make nutritious meals at home. Our Each year, Dole-sponsored nutritionists nutrition education programs for children. Star Wars™ imagery appeared on Dole it’s a natural choice for Dole to email newsletter, Nutrition News, offers a hold hundreds of sessions with groups products and in advertising in 2017 take action to promote healthy monthly look at nutrition research, along In 2019, Dole signed on for a one-year of students, to teach them about the during the release of The Last Jedi™ with recipes and tips for greater health partnership with the nonprofit Action principles of healthy eating. The program eating – with a special focus and more recently Captain Marvel™ and wellness. We also share nutrition and for Healthy Kids, to develop toolkits and has so far reached over 710,000 students characters appeared on stickers on helping young people to wellness insights with Dole’s more than programs to help teachers and parents and faculty in more than 4,000 schools, in spring 2019 to coincide with understand the importance 1.7 million followers on social media. deliver health and wellness messages and successive governments have praised to kids. a movie release. of healthy food. its value in helping to tackle the country’s growing obesity problem.

30 31 Contents Our Approach For People For Nature For Food Doing good through food Maintaining food safety

Supporting food causes Red de Alimentos has helped more On food safety, Dole works not just with Dole supports food- and Dole’s salad processing facilities in the than 200,000 people have access to Dole’s global food safety growers but also with our peers and The blockchain solution U.S. donated 247,380 cases of salads nutritious food. To date, Dole has competitors – through participation nutrition-related causes donated over 24,000 kilograms program is risk-based and in multi-stakeholder initiatives such as and vegetables to local community Dole has teamed up with Walmart, (about 53,000 pounds) of vegetables the Global Food Safety Initiative and through monetary and in-kind organizations in 2018, equivalent to grounded in the latest science. IBM and other partners to to support the organization’s work. collaboration with pan-industry about five million servings. Employees demonstrate the potential for donations and through Each Dole division has a food organizations such as the California also give their time to support food In Honduras, Dole donates approximately blockchain – a technology that has and Arizona Leafy Greens Marketing employee-organized causes. For example, employees at our 11,700 tons of fruit to employees and safety team working to deliver been used by financial institutions Associations – to raise the bar on food volunteering. We’re also salad plant in Ohio volunteer at the their families per year. a common strategy, including for years – to bring about a step safety and put additional standards into taking steps to tackle food Springfield Soup Kitchen throughout compliance with Dole’s global change in food safety. the year, and at Dole’s Soledad salad place. We’re also working with researchers Reducing food waste Blockchain cuts the average time waste, especially in our U.S. plant in California, all managers commit management system, which to better understand the challenges from packaged salads needed for food safety investigations vegetables and salads business. to volunteer at least twice each year gives each division scope to and to strengthen prevention strategies from weeks to mere seconds. at the Food Bank of Monterey County. Dole is conscious of the increasing and controls. issue of food waste in the developed execute food safety controls Produce that’s been logged via Dole has donated more than 80 salad bars world – including the social as well as in ways that are appropriate Food safety controls, blockchain can be instantly tracked to U.S. schools through the United Fresh environmental implications when large to its work. step by step back through the supply chain, giving Start Foundation’s “Salad Bars to Schools” quantities of food are discarded either retailers and consumers confidence We have robust environmental controls initiative – to give kids a healthy option by retailers or by consumers. in the event of a recall. Eventually, 52M LBS during the school day. All divisions use a global set of standards and monitor both the product and the consumers will be able to scan each In 2018, Dole donated Dole’s Fresh Vegetables Division in the and processes for supplier approvals, environment at every step of the process, bag of salad or package of vegetables In Chile, Dole is a collaborating partner 52 million LBS portions U.S. has taken a number of steps aimed based on a shared understanding of including: in-store to get information about its of Red de Alimentos, a nonprofit that or tons of fresh fruit at reducing food waste from its products. the risks associated with each type • On the farm, Dole has clear journey from farm to store shelf. rescues food that is suitable for human and vegetables to food For example, products carry “Best If Used of food product. requirements on what can be added consumption, reducing waste and By” dates instead of “Use By” dates, and Dole has implemented blockchain in banks, schools and We’re continuously working to further to the soil – and when it can be added providing food to those most in need. the products are formulated to provide its supply chain for salads and fresh other philanthropic strengthen the system. For example, at the – as the soil is prepared for planting. the most shelf life for retailers while still vegetables, and as of early 2019, organizations globally. end of 2017, we rolled out a harmonized • During growing, controls include ensuring an excellent eating experience the data was already being shared worldwide system for recalls – a set of irrigation specifications, water testing for consumers, helping to minimize with several retail customers. processes that are the same, in the event and pest management procedures. supermarket disposals. Security measures built into the of a recall, everywhere in the world. More • Pre-harvest testing: if anything system prevent each retailer from recently, we clarified the water treatment unacceptable is detected, the relevant seeing proprietary information about standards that we require from leafy crop is tilled under. another retailer’s products and vice greens suppliers. • At harvest, equipment controls and versa. There are plans to roll out the hygiene requirements help to protect technology for other Dole produce the produce. items in the near future. • In coolers, storage temperatures are controlled to maintain quality and food GOAL safety. All Dole suppliers are Implement blockchain product required to be certified by • At sorting facilities, there are strict tagging technology and/or handling practices and environmental advanced traceability solutions a program benchmarked controls – as the produce is washed, in all Dole divisions by 2025. against Global Food Safety dried, sorted and packed. Initiative requirements.

32 33 Dole Food Company, Inc. 200 South Tryon Street, Ste 600 Charlotte, NC 28202 www.Dole.com