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Ethical, ecological and social food production

To ensure a healthy diet for the planet and for people, we must not only look at our own handling of food, but also look outwards: After all, the greatest impact within our value chain can be achieved if the sustainable production of food can be ensured: Cultivation must be as ecological as possible and social and ethical aspects must be taken into account. Fair trade food and animal products from species-appropriate husbandry therefore play a central role in our purchasing. To this end, we are gradually expanding our range of particularly sustainable products and setting ourselves specific targets together with our partners WWF Switzerland and Swiss Animal Protection STS.

Porträt von Dörte Bachmann, Sustainability Managerin, stehend leicht schräg mit Hintergrund in einer Lobby
We are committed to sustainable food production and therefore buy products from organic and responsible production.

Dörte Bachmann

Head of Sustainability

Biodiversity

By purchasing products from organic production, we contribute to the preservation of healthy soils, biodiversity and generally sustainable agriculture. In doing so, we focus on the use of IP-SUISSE and organic products.

Examples of our measures

Our IP-SUISSE meadow milk, for example, comes from cows that feed mainly on grass on the pasture in summer and mainly on hay and grass silage in winter. Concentrated feed is fed very sparingly and the use of soy is prohibited. In addition, we are committed to only using fish and seafood that meets the recommendations of WWF Switzerland. To this end, we have our range regularly checked by WWF Switzerland and do not use any products that are classified as "not recommended".

Our facts on biodiversity

  • The following products in our restaurants always come from IP-Suisse or organic cultivation: whole milk, natural yoghurt, carrots, white quinoa (IP-Suisse); tofu and bananas (organic)
  • We only use fish and seafood that is classified as "highly recommended", "recommended" or "acceptable" according to WWF Switzerland (score 1-3). 80% of our shopping basket comes from the "highly recommended" or "recommended" categories (score 1 - 2).
  • 72% of our fish and seafood is MSC or ASC certified (2020)

Regionality

To ensure reliable and sustainable supply chains, we source the majority of our products from Switzerland. To this end, we have maintained partnerships with regional producers and suppliers for many years. We also have a very efficient logistics system that enables us to ensure climate-friendly food transportation.

Our facts on regionality

  • Around 80 percent of our shopping basket comes from Swiss production

Animal welfare

Together with the Swiss Animal Protection STS, we developed a concept in 2016 to ensure that SV's restaurants mainly use Swiss meat from the animal welfare programs "Particularly animal-friendly stable husbandry" (BTS) and "Regular outdoor exercise" (RAUS) supported by the Swiss Confederation. In 2022, the proportion of BTS/RAUS meat was therefore around 70 %. We are now taking another significant step forward and gradually replacing the current BTS/RAUS animal welfare standard with the stricter IP-SUISSE label on all SV farms.

That is why we are switching to IP-SUISSE

In terms of animal welfare, the IP-SUISSE label includes the basic requirements of BTS/RAUS, which means that the animals benefit from regular outdoor exercise, more space and littered lying areas. In addition, the label ensures that farms are inspected at least once a year and that all products are certified by the independent body ProCert.

Our facts on animal welfare

  • We do not use products from cruel animal production
  • We do not use products from animals that have been treated with hormones or antimicrobial performance enhancers (AML)
  • All of our chicken, beef, veal and pork comes from Switzerland
  • 70% of our Swiss meat comes from particularly animal-friendly livestock farming (BTS) and with regular outdoor access (RAUS) - successive conversion to the stricter IP Suisse label since March 2023
  • Lamb and game come 100% from Europe
  • We use the whole animal wherever possible (utilization rate: 80 percent)
  • Use of organic Bruderhahn products in selected restaurants

Fairtrade

The Fairtrade Max Havelaar label recognizes products that have been produced and traded internationally under fair conditions. This gives plantation workers and small farmers in developing and emerging countries the chance to improve their lives sustainably through their own efforts. We are an official catering partner of Fairtrade Max Havelaar and have been continuously expanding our Fairtrade shopping basket for over ten years.

Our facts about Fairtrade

  • We have over 100 Fairtrade products in our range for chefs to choose from
  • The following products are always MAX HAVELAAR Fairtrade-certified: Bananas, sugar sticks, SV iced tea and SV lemonade as well as fruit juices

Story: SV is committed to organic and fair trade certified coffee

News about our commitment

Durch die Vollumstellung auf Fairtrade-Kaffee können die Kleinbauern-Kooperativen eine deutlich grössere Menge ihrer Ernte zu Fairtrade-Konditionen anbieten.

Kaffee aus ökologischem Anbau und fairem Handel

Zur Förderung einer sozialen und ökologischen Produktion spielen für uns Lebensmittel aus fairem Handel eine zentrale Rolle. SV Schweiz bezieht seit Juni 2024 vollumfänglich in Fairtrade- und Bio-Qualität von der St. Galler Traditionsrösterei Turm Kaffee.

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Koch mit schwarzer Blouse und Mütze mit Zange in der Hand richtet etwas auf einem Teller an. Ein Stück Fleisch ist im Vordergrund

SV stellt auf IP-SUISSE Fleisch um

Ab März 2024 stellt SV ihren Fleischeinkauf im grossen Stil auf das strengere IP-SUISSE-Label um: Ziel ist es, den neuen Standard in sämtlichen SV Restaurants einzuführen und dabei auch den Tierwohlanteil von 70 % beizubehalten.

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Foto von 3 weissen Hühnern von weit unten aufgenommen. Im Hintergrund sieht man Strohballen.

Bio-Bruderhahn: Tierwohl statt Verschwendung

Brüder der Legehennen – die sogenannten Bruderhähne – sollen ab 2026 auf Bio-Höfen aufgezogen und nicht mehr direkt nach dem Schlüpfen getötet werden, Ein Projekt von Bio Suisse, das hervorragend zur umfassenden Nachhaltigkeitsstrategie der SV Group passt. 

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Further areas of action for our commitment to sustainability

Teller mit Lebensmittel die einen Regenbogen und ein Landschaft formen. Sujet für Nachhaltigkeitskampagne

Climate-friendly nutrition

With our delicious and creative recipes, it is not difficult for our guests to choose sustainable and healthy menus. It's all about the right balance between the menu components.

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Teller mit Lebensmittel darauf die einen Panda zeigen, der für den WWF steht. Sujet der Nachhaltigkeitskampagne

Partnerships and transparent communication

We rely on good partnerships and open communication of our key sustainability figures. We work with various partners such as WWF Switzerland and Swiss Animal Protection STS.

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Sonnenblumenanordnung auf einem weissen Teller.

Waste and energy

We attach great importance to the efficient use of water and energy in our restaurants and reduce food waste to a minimum.

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Bibbeli Kücken Nachhaltigkeit Teaser

Responsible employer

We attach great importance to social sustainability and invest in the further training and development of our employees out of conviction.

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