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Even McDonald’s knows it pays to buy local.
At least 60 farms in Cartago, Costa Rica supply the U.S. fast food chain’s network of 55 restaurants with over 27 tons of vegetables each month.
“As a global brand, we are proud to support national producers who represent more than 60 percent of the suppliers with whom we work in Costa Rica. Most of the products on our menu have vegetables, which generates an important demand in our restaurants, this means growth for our suppliers, and supporting the local economy,” said Madriz.
Since 1991, Vegetales Fresquita located in El Guarco de Cartago, sources its vegetables using strict quality criteria from over 60 farmers in the Cartago province, which translates into a steady livelihood for at least 300 families.
“Our policy is to seek continuous improvement, so we strive to maintain the standards that make us worthy of the trust of a brand like McDonald’s. We are very pleased to have an international certification that reinforces the quality, safety and food safety of our products, which translates to the final product that consumers receive in both Costa Rican and Panamanian restaurants,” said Mauricio Ramírez, Vegetable Manager Fresquita .
Currently, the company provides upwards of 25,000 kilos (27.5 tons) per month of six different products to the more than 55 McDonald’s restaurants in Costa Rica. And, recently, the company obtained one of the highest international food certifications, the FSCC 22000 for Food Safety Management Systems.
Vegetales Fresquita invested US$1 million to comply with the international standards which required upgraded manufacturing processes and organizational strengthening such as employee training.
In March 2017, Vegetales Fresquita made the first export of Iceberg lettuce, guacamole and pico de gallo for McDonald’s restaurants in Panama, their first expansion outside of Costa Rica.
