Westfalia Fruit, a leading multinational supplier of avocados and a range of fresh vegetables and fruit, has been honored with a United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) award for its work with the Pro Tiltil Alliance in Chile. The recognition, under SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, celebrates the alliance’s efforts in fostering sustainable development through collaborative corporate action.

About Pro TilTil

Founded in 2006, the Pro Tiltil Alliance brings together nine companies to address significant environmental and socioeconomic challenges in Tiltil, an underdeveloped region in Chile. The alliance focuses on key priorities such as tackling drought, improving infrastructure, culture, and education, and fostering economic growth to create long-term solutions for the community. “This award reaffirms the strength of partnerships and the impact we can achieve by working together for a common goal,” said Isabel Moreno, Corporate Affairs Manager, Westfalia Fruit. “Through Pro Tiltil, we’ve shown how corporate collaboration drives meaningful change in communities that need it most. This recognition validates our commitment to sustainable development.”

The Pro Tiltil Alliance serves as a model for how companies can align their corporate goals with global sustainability objectives. By pooling resources and expertise, member companies have achieved a far greater impact than individual efforts could have accomplished. “By combining our expertise with that of our partners, we’ve created opportunities for economic growth while addressing significant environmental needs,” Moreno added. “Projects like responsible production agreements for small growers, raspberry farming in a water-scarce area and a community kitchen demonstrate how partnerships can drive grassroots change and improve lives.”

Community kitchen

One of the alliance’s flagship initiatives is the community kitchen, which empowers local entrepreneurs by providing a certified space to produce and sell food legally. Westfalia’s health and safety team has played a vital role in ensuring the facility meets hygiene standards through continuous support. This initiative has not only created sustainable income streams but has also become a model for community development in the region.

Climate change and water

Over the past year, two initiatives supporting small farmers have been implemented to enhance adaptation to climate change and the water crisis while preserving agriculture, a traditional economic activity in Tiltil. The first initiative introduced a pilot program for agricultural innovation in five orchards, cultivating a raspberry variety specifically adapted to local soil and climate conditions, offering a promising and profitable production alternative. The second initiative established a responsible agricultural production agreement, providing small farmers with training and support in adopting sustainable energy- and water-efficient technologies.

Employment

The alliance also supports job creation through employment programs like job fairs and internships. Westfalia actively participates by offering internships that equip young people with essential skills and often lead to permanent roles within the company.

Education

Education is another cornerstone of Pro Tiltil’s efforts. The alliance has improved local school infrastructure, including classroom renovations and playground upgrades, recovery of greywater, and implementation of an innovative system that provides purified water to students by capturing ambient humidity. Extracurricular activities, including support for sports programs, help foster a well-rounded learning environment for students and encourage active participation in the community.

Moving forward

Looking ahead, the alliance aims to expand its successful initiatives, such as the community kitchen, while exploring new opportunities for local economic growth. Future plans include enhancing the marketing reach of community kitchen products and addressing emerging challenges within the region. These efforts underscore the alliance’s commitment to driving lasting, transformative change.

Westfalia’s participation in the Pro Tiltil Alliance reflects its dedication to the UN Global Compact principles. This recognition under SDG 17 highlights how private sector partnerships can make meaningful progress toward global sustainability while delivering tangible benefits to local communities.