The “True Cost – From Costs to Benefits in Food and Farming” initiative was founded in 2019
It brought together a broad network comprising businesses, non-governmental organisations, auditing firms, and scientists. The initiative’s members generated a technical handbook for calculating the true costs of food and agricultural products.
The main goal of the True Cost – From Costs to Benefits in Food and Farming initiative was to establish transparent and holistic reporting of businesses’ environmental, social and health impacts. The application of the handbook in businesses allows a more complete and objective comparison of businesses’ performance, and sets incentives to establish sustainable business models.
Initiative coordinated by
In cooperation with
How is the TCA methodology developed?
The project combined a multi-stakeholder approach with a living lab application. In a first step experienced agronomists, nutritionists, accountants, food economists and impact consultants together developed a methodology to measure, value and report the environmental, social and health impacts of food and agribusinesses. In a second step the methodology was applied to real value chains. More than 20 assessments were conducted in order to test the developed methodology.
We assessed different types of plant-based products, such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, tea and coffee, as well as more exotic agriproducts, such as medical herbs and essential oils.
The methodology was tested in collaboration with farmers, ranging from smallholder cooperatives to large scale farms, food processors and traders, and different departments from food businesses such as procurement, finance and sustainability. Living labs were performed in five continents including the countries: USA, Mexico, Argentina, Honduras, Spain, Netherlands, Germany, Serbia, Austria, Hungary, Turkey, Egypt, Uganda, and India.
Based on the lessons from the living labs, the methodology was adapted to fit the reality of everyday business and undergoes an audit readiness check.
Meet our partners
Do you have any questions about
the True Cost Initiative?
The “True Cost – From Costs to Benefits in Food and Farming” initiative was founded in 2019
It brought together a broad network comprising businesses, non-governmental organisations, auditing firms, and scientists. The initiative’s members generated a technical handbook for calculating the true costs of food and agricultural products.
The main goal of the True Cost – From Costs to Benefits in Food and Farming initiative was to establish transparent and holistic reporting of businesses’ environmental, social and health impacts. The application of the handbook in businesses allows a more complete and objective comparison of businesses’ performance, and sets incentives to establish sustainable business models.
Initiative coordinated by
In cooperation with
How is the TCA methodology developed?
The project combined a multi-stakeholder approach with a living lab application. In a first step experienced agronomists, nutritionists, accountants, food economists and impact consultants together developed a methodology to measure, value and report the environmental, social and health impacts of food and agribusinesses. In a second step the methodology was applied to real value chains. More than 20 assessments were conducted in order to test the developed methodology.
We assessed different types of plant-based products, such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, tea and coffee, as well as more exotic agriproducts, such as medical herbs and essential oils.
The methodology was tested in collaboration with farmers, ranging from smallholder cooperatives to large scale farms, food processors and traders, and different departments from food businesses such as procurement, finance and sustainability. Living labs were performed in five continents including the countries: USA, Mexico, Argentina, Honduras, Spain, Netherlands, Germany, Serbia, Austria, Hungary, Turkey, Egypt, Uganda, and India.
Based on the lessons from the living labs, the methodology was adapted to fit the reality of everyday business and undergoes an audit readiness check.
Meet our partners
Do you have any questions about the True Cost Initiative?
