A fresh way to source quality produce from around the world

Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement April 2025 - March 2026

Introduction

VIDAfresh is committed to preventing modern slavery and human trafficking within our business and supply chains. We recognise that modern slavery is a serious violation of human rights, taking various forms such as forced labour, servitude, human trafficking, and exploitation.

This statement is made in compliance with Section 54(1) of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and sets out the steps we have taken during the financial year ending March 2025 to prevent modern slavery and human trafficking in our business and supply chains.

Our Business and Supply Chains

VIDAfresh is a leading specialist in the import and distribution of melons, pineapples, and citrus fruits. Our experienced commercial and logistics teams work with suppliers across the UK, Ireland, and mainland Europe to deliver high-quality fresh produce to our diverse customer base.

Given the global nature of our supply chain, we recognise the importance of ensuring ethical sourcing and maintaining robust due diligence to mitigate risks related to modern slavery and human trafficking.

Our Commitment and Policies

VIDAfresh does not tolerate modern slavery or human trafficking in any form. We have a Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Policy that outlines our ethical expectations for our business operations and supply chain.

Our commitment is reinforced by:

• A whistleblowing mechanism that allows employees and stakeholders to report concerns confidentially.
• Membership in SEDEX, Stronger Together, and Sainsbury’s RightLine Initiative, which supports us in driving ethical improvements and identifying potential risks in our supply chain.
• A zero-tolerance approach to suppliers and contractors who fail to comply with our ethical standards.

Due Diligence and Risk Assessment in Supply Chains

To ensure our supply chain operates transparently and ethically, we have implemented a Supply Chain Compliance Programme that includes:

• Pre-qualification supplier approval audits, conducted in collaboration with customers and independent third- party auditors.
• Regular ethical audits using SEDEX Member Ethical Trade Audits (SMETA) and other independent schemes.
• On-site visits to assess working conditions and verify compliance with labour laws and ethical standards.

Our Supplier Compliance Team, led by VIDAfresh’s Head of Technical, consists of professionals from our Technical and Commercial Departments, working collaboratively to monitor and address any ethical concerns.

Training and Awareness

We recognise that education and training are essential in identifying and preventing modern slavery. To strengthen awareness, VIDAfresh:

• Provides Stronger Together training to staff, enabling them to identify, monitor, and report suspected cases of modern slavery.
• Encourages business partners and suppliers to implement ethical training within their own operations.
• Delivers multilingual training for temporary workers, ensuring they understand their rights and how to report concerns.
• Expands training participation, with additional team members attending introductory and advanced anti-slavery courses in 2024-2025.

Ongoing Commitment and Future Actions

VIDAfresh remains fully committed to eradicating modern slavery and human trafficking from our business and supply chains. Our future priorities include:

• Strengthening supplier audits and assessments, ensuring all suppliers are members of ethical assurance schemes such as SEDEX and Stronger Together.
• Enhancing worker protection measures through continuous monitoring and collaboration with external ethical trade partners.
• Expanding face-to-face audits with both internal teams and independent third-party verifiers.

Approval and Review

This statement has been approved by Terry Watts, CEO of VIDAfresh, and will be reviewed annually to ensure continued compliance and effectiveness.

Signed,

Terry Watts
CEO, VIDAfresh

Date: 1st April 2025