Our goal is to drive a more sustainable supply chain; hence we promote a strategy for the certification of production practices with our Suppliers, enabling us to have greater traceability from production to consumption.

In 2021, Continente was the first retailer in the world to obtain certification of its Fruit and Vegetable supply chain by GLOBAL GAP.

We also pursued our “Resíduo Zero” (Zero Waste) certification for several producers, ensuring that our fruits and vegetables are free of waste and that the principles of efficient use of resources, lower emissions and greater control over microbiological aspects are safeguarded. These are fundamental elements concerning food safety and integration with the environment.

In terms of animal production, we highlight our award from the international certification in Animal Welfare throughout the production chain, per International Welfare Quality Protocols for our beef brands Aberdeen-Angus Continente® and Limousin Continente®.

In recent years, cereals have occupied a central place on the agenda of the “Clube de Produtores Continente” (Continente Producers Club). To reduce our dependence on cereal imports, the Club launched a noteworthy project which brought together farmers, millers and researchers. Currently, this initiative accounts for circa 80% of the production of cereals from the Alentejo region. The grains are used at Continente in-house bakeries, where we bake fresh bread every day made with 100% Portuguese raw materials.

In addition to the positive impacts mentioned, we value the opportunity these cereal fields represent to conserve threatened species such as the Águia Caçadeira (circus pygargus) by increasing the availability of a nesting and feeding habitat. In collaboration with the Institute for Nature Conservation and Forests (ICNF), we established a partnership with the National Association of Cereal, Protein crop and Oilseed Producers (ANPOC) and the Research Centre in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources (CIBIO/BIOPOLIS), that aims to protect and recover the species. In its first year, the partnership conducted a survey of the species breeding area in the Alentejo region, identifying colonies and nests and implementing and monitoring nest protection measures. A total of 26 producers are responsible for monitoring 1,500 hectares.

Aware of food's impact on our health and the environment, our consumers seek alternatives to diversify their nutritional intake.

In hosting “Feira da Vida Saudável” (an in-store Healthy Life Farmers' Market), we meet the needs of this growing Customer segment and simultaneously broaden its base. The in-store “Feira da Vida Saudável” are important occasions to promote various organic products, plant-based alternatives, products low in salt, sugars and fats, plus lactose-free and gluten-free products and food supplements, at affordable price points.

In 2021 we pursued our packaging improvement programme. Our focal points throughout 2021 were to eliminate the unnecessary use of materials, incorporate recycled material and design our packaging to ensure its recyclability and reusability. We have many and varied examples of the changes, such as Kasa's bed linen packaging, where we eliminated the use of plastic. Another example is the change we made to the Continente water bottles where we attached the lids to the bottles, thus ensuring the lids are not lost in the system and are effectively recycled.

In 2021 we offered our Customers the option of taking their own hermetically sealed storage boxes to use for purchases made at the deli and takeaway counters, thus avoiding the usual disposable containers used for ready-to-eat meals. This initiative aims to encourage reuse practices.