Food Company – Happy Valley (Honey)
Introduction
Happy Valley (Honey) www.happyvalley.co.nz Vision
We understand our responsibility thus we work to ensure we produce with the planet in mind.

Principles
We as a company endeavour to approach our business practices are guided by an ethical and social responsibility to guarantee the following principles; stewardship, transparency, fair working conditions, innovative leadership, sharing and creating opportunities to the disadvantaged producers, non-discrimination, better environmental practices and the application of responsible methods of production

Important Issues
• Happy Valley understands the urgent and real need for healthy bees as pollinators for food production. We are actively seeking new and improved solutions to improve honey bee health.
• To ensure the ongoing healthy status of our bees we strictly limit crop protection products and specifically curtail unnecessary chemical pest treatments which could hurt the health or affect the growth of healthy bees. We only use crop protection products that are effective in managing pests, excellent operator safety with relatively favourable environmental profiles.
• Scientists and health regulatory authorities agree that bee health is a complex issue especially as in recent times it has been put forward that bee populations are on the incline. The need to be resolute and proactive in management practices is even more important now. Such is the delicate balance we strive to manage all factors including pests and parasites, microbial diseases, inadequate diet and climate change whereas we can make a difference.
• In normal bee lifecycle during the summer season. Approximately 2200 worker bees may leave the hive to perish naturally. This is due to the average lifespan worker bees enjoy of four to six weeks. The expired bees are replaced daily by newly-hatched bees, thus ensuring the ongoing health of a rejuvenated bee colony.
• Due to the delicate nature that is Bee farming and sustaining healthy honey production and its direct impact on our stakeholders, we have listed the following as a priority.
- Climate change, financial solvency, conservation and accessibility, health and safety for our workers, customers and the community which we are part of. Lastly we will remain as transparent as possible in an effort to be socially responsible.

Our Ability and Duty to Act
“Think globally, act locally” – Paul McCartney
• Happy Valley wholeheartedly appreciates and values the natural resources, we endeavour to use it wisely as we create healthy life sustaining honey products sustainably.
• Happy Valley sincerely believes all its Honey health products enjoy Health benefits that are compatible with longer, healthier human lives. The flavonoids and Antioxidants and anti-fungal properties help reduce the risk of some cancers, heart disease and assist in reducing ulcers, bacterial gastroenteritis and other disorders. We also believe we have the power to make a positive human impact on the diverse people we touch.
We work within the law to ensure all possible environmental, social and economic responsibility targets are met. We believe everyday our actions and love for our natural ‘flying’ farmer friends speaks volumes as the health is measured consistently by the quality of their production, the happiness of our employees, stakeholders, clients and the general at large.
Dutifully exerts all efforts in maintain the high stand of quality in managing, manufacturing and delivering beautiful health, vibrant honey to the market thus maintaining its reputation. Leveraging off the fact that Happy Valley complies with its customised, unique designed sustainability model. Objectives
The objective is not to ‘make your links appear natural’, the objective is that your links are natural. – Matt Cutts.

Divert minimum 50% of all solid waste 2014-2015 (2012-13 level of 30%) of solid waste by company increasing recycling efforts. These efforts were due to coordinated marketing and educational programmes and seminars with staff, board members and stakeholders including ‘Busy Bee is a Clean Bee’ and ‘BEE Alert’ designed by Happy Valley Marketing department in-house. An incremental increase of 20% (from 2012-2013) is believed achievable and in keeping with the gradual introduction and reaffirmation of the importance of sustainable practices for all stakeholders.
Recompense community for it’s support by giving back to Charity purposes an increase of 100kgs (2012-2013 72kgs) of bottled glass natural Manuka honey to be used in fund raising programmes for schools and non-profit registered charities.
Introduce new educational programme ‘BEE Cool’ within local Papakura isthmus of all 12 Full Primary schools. Educational programme will include informative ideas to introduce:
• More planting of wild flowers
• Recycling (How we do it) to influence recycling efforts in schools & introducing new Bee mascot to explain the benefits to all bees.
• The honeybee’s world and its impact on the environment
• Taste testing
Partner with sustainability auditors (Natural Step NZ), National Beekeepers Association of NZ, Scientists and other Apiarists in the industry to design new, high calibre programme and initiatives to;
- Minimise negative environmental impacts of Honey production
- Improve Financial, Social and environmental bottom lines.
- Increase health and wellbeing of the Honey Bee (Apis Mellifera)

Happy Valley is serious in regards to ensuring our entire supply chain operation, manufacturing process, sites, vehicles, employees, procurement practice, is of the highest standard of social responsibility and environmentally aware.
Staff air travel related emissions; reduced to fewer than 12 MT per FTE company representative.
Reducing energy use by installing Belkin energy saving surge protectors, Smart Power Controllers by Senztek (enabling more control and savings on hot water usage) and reducing Appliance energy wastage by using Elto EMA-1 Power Meter (low cost plugin wattage cost monitor. Able to record kwh usage and cost. Multi settings for night/day/weekend rate electricity with battery backup that can retain settings & data when not plugged in.)
Ensure by March 2015 all suppliers and vendors meet minimum sustainability guidelines – 70% are in agreement by March 2015.
Reduce Plant kWh energy use in manufacturing, office to below 6kWh 2014-2015
Internal reviews for all staff to be scheduled twice yearly (Every 6 months)
• We will externally report on our progress against these goals once per year.
• Internal senior reviews will be held at least once per year.
• Management reviews will be conducted quarterly.
Signed by
(Most Senior Executive)
(Date)

So where are we technically speaking on a marketing and sustainability standing?
Graphically to measure where Happy Valley stands we are using models below to accentuate journey to realising full sustainability. Below we map out changes as achieving sustainability is a process that can only be advanced stage by stage.

Using the Phase Model *.
We are in a transitioning mode whereas the Board and stakeholders understand the importance of manufacturing with sustainable targets set in mind. We are in the higher part of Level Three – Compliance.
The company is objective in that it is compliant with current laws, up to date and even exceeds health and safety requirements and community expectations. Effective risk management systems are in place and has been streamlined to also take into account the delicate and complicated nature of Honey Bee management. Happy Valley also conforms and works closely with Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) Food Safety Guidelines and regulatory requirements for production, certificates for import and export and holds a biosecurity clearance. MPI monitors are regularly supplied with data to ensure it continues to hold the highest health ratings and clearances.
The robust, yet transparent management style of Happy Valley has ensured many positive outcomes mainly an enviable reputation for premium, quality of all Honey products to market. And a dedicated following amongst customers and the export retailing clients.
Advance outlook. Happy Valley have made major changes in keeping with its stewardship and passionate board. Still other changes and modifications are planned are yet to be physically implemented. Happy Valley in 2015 will be located in Level Four of the Phase Model. Whereas:
The main objective will be: Eliminate waste introduce advance training and processes fine tune all changes in manufacturing and ensure recyclable resources are maximised to the fullest. To reduce the carbon foot print even further energy reducing through technology and innovation (See solar panel introduction).
Redesigning products to eliminate packaging waste and utilising environmentally friendlier materials (No metal etc.)
Increase lateral communication and teamwork and moving full production to front of pipe based methods to 100% eliminate water wastage, redirecting any back to production cycle as resource (biomimicry).

Presently. Advance outlook. Happy Valley will be better placed after changes and financial capital is injected to further make changes in 2015 viable. Happy Valley will strive to be in Level Five – Proactive Strategists by 2018. Culminating in reaching Level Six – That of Transforming Futurists by 2022.

Where we can improve;
To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often - Winston Churchill

Solar panel energy to reduce reliance on energy usage is yet to be fully implemented though this is planned. Financially it is difficult though the board realises that it would benefit Happy Valley in the long run hence investment is marked as a priority.
Still to find a 100% Natural or organic based insecticide that is proven to be effective in protecting crops and prove to be biodegradable and have harmless effect on plants, water ways, birds and animals.
Packaging to be streamlined and still to be 100% from recyclable materials. E.g Metal ties and staples are still used in boxes. An improved natural alternative is still to be found despite ongoing trials and testing.
Whilst systems have improved through new software to ensure ordering/warehousing; we have reduced wastage through smarter logistics scheduling. Transportation and reliance on diesel fuel trucks can still be lowered by upgrading older trucks and vehicles.
Presently looking into water use and the ability to recycle the water for surrounding crops/flower beds after washing of glass jars. Water usage is very high. Thus new and improved system has not been implemented. Though the need and desire is there to implement front of pipe systems to maximise water usage and reduce costs.
Redesign Packaging. Following the natural Bee hive design for maximising room and storage. It would be taking biomimicry to new level if we were to design a modular hexagonal honeycomb shape to increase storage capacity using less materials. Materials would also be completely recyclable.
To remain as close to the biosphere we are presently at. Happy Valley will also under take an aggressive marketing campaign to foster replanting of wild flowers. This campaign will be driven through rate payers in the greater Papakura area. With Honey products as prizes for the best gardens incorporating wildflower 100% BEE Friendly Seed Mix. Happy Valley will purchase and package seed mix in recycled brown paper and distribute to rate payers with the assistance of the Manukau City Council (Auckland City). This campaign will be promoted as BEE Wild. It will culminate into an annual Best Garden competition judged by ratepayers.
How can we improve further?
Create an Environmental system that is robust band audited by an approved outside agency.
An environmental Policy updated quarterly. This will include plans, structural changes, established goals, achievements reached.
Ongoing training for all employees and stakeholders with regularly published updates sent to all clients.
Adhering to a sustainability Balanced Scorecard

Change
“The secret of change is to focus all your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new.” - - Socrates
Happy Valley is in full swing heading deep towards the Transformational Change as compared to Incremental Change stage and the Transition Change. Incremental Change is generally viewed as a slow process where results are only impacting weakly on the palatial landscape. Meaning the landscape, we believe is the biosphere is only affected slightly. These impacts may have little or none, far reaching definitive change for good. Transition is seen as a fluent extenstion towards a new future which is an improved version of the existing state. Although for a company to introduce incremental change is far better than not exploring sustainability at all. Its total effect is negotiable and not far reaching. Transformational Change is viewed by Happy Valley as the only and preferred way to co-exist. These type of Change
Reporting
This is the first year of Happy Valley analysis. Setting targets and then monitoring and measuring positive development is heartening from a relatively young company’s perspective. By reporting we maintain the transparency in all our manufacturing and processing facets. We hope this leads to open discussions. We welcome engagement and dialogue with all community, stakeholders and staff.
This report will be produced yearly in according to our goals of transparency.

References

Benn, S., Dunphy, D., & Griffiths, A. (2006). Enabling change for corporate sustainability: an integrated perspective. Australasian Journal of Environmental Management, 13(3), 156-165