Lidl takes another big (and delicious) step with sustainable cheese
Just to confirm once again: we don’t own any Lidl shares. But it’s no secret that we’re fans! Lidl keeps showing that they understand the need for sustainability too, and often surprises us with facts, news and products that you might think are commonplace, but that nevertheless go the extra mile. Just like in this case:
Lidl previously opened the most sustainable supermarket in the Netherlands (in Almere), and impressed us with the first Fairtrade and sustainable cashew nuts to come here directly from their place of origin, without a wasteful stopover on another continent. And this cheese also has a great story behind it…
Even better than organic
To be honest, we thought Lidl’s organic cheese was already fully responsible (besides being absolutely delicious – the extra-matured one is a favorite in our household). But did you know that organic combined with 3 stars from the Beter Leven quality mark is not a given, is even better, and that Lidl is unique in this respect? We didn’t, and we’re now seriously impressed.
Stricter requirements
The requirements for the 3-star Beter Leven quality mark for dairy products have recently been tightened considerably. The animal welfare criteria have become even stricter, and requirements now also apply to the environment, nature and biodiversity. As a company, you must therefore be able to demonstrate that you not only manage your own land organically and feed the animals organically grown feed, but also that you take the surrounding area into account. The quality mark works together with, among others, Vogelbescherming Nederland and Natuur & Milieu. What else does Lidl sell with the 3-star Beter-Leven quality mark? Kipster eggs.
Still some work to do
The Beter Leven cheese farmers who supply Lidl already meet the requirements of the legally recognized organic quality mark, and are now working hard to make their businesses even more sustainable. They are expected to meet all the new, strict requirements by the end of September 2022 at the latest, and then it’ll be time to celebrate!
Doing a great job
So at Lidl, you can find cheese produced with greater consideration for animal welfare and a high level of sustainability. The combination of 3 stars and organic certification is unique, and as the third-largest supermarket chain in the Netherlands, Lidl is, according to Marijke de Jong, programme manager at Beter Leven, ‘seriously committed to making its range even more sustainable.’
Bring on the cheese
We’re already looking forward to an old-fashioned Dutch cheese board with some extra-matured or young cheese cubes on it. And the 3-star organic Lidl cheese will surely taste great in kaastengels by FavorFlav’s Sabina too!
Read also:
- 10x cheap Lidl favorites
- Snackspert is raving about Lidl’s flammkuchen (and at that price!)
- Lidl stops using ‘sustainable’ in Belgium
