EFI standards now cover almost 5,000 farmworkers - FreshFruitPortal.com

EFI standards now cover almost 5,000 farmworkers

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EFI standards now cover almost 5,000 farmworkers

The Equitable Food Initiative (EFI) has now certified its 10th operation, involving longstanding partner NatureSweet in Mexico.

The organization, which brings together issues of worker rights, food safety and the environment under a "one stop shop" certification initiative,Ā said the milestone at NatureSweet's plant in San Isidro was significant as 4,689 agricultural workers now worked on EFI-certified facilities.

These facilities all have leadership teams representing theĀ labor force while management provideĀ continuous verification of compliance with EFI standards.

Of the 10 certified facilities, EFI has trained a total of 222 Leadership Team members, 45% of whom are women.

Other companies with certifiedĀ facilities includeĀ Andrew & Williamson Fresh Produce, Alpine Fresh, Pacific Agra Farms, Earthbound Farm andĀ Windset Farms.

In addition to the first 10 certified facilities, there are currently 15 more already in the training and audit process, and the EFI expects to scale significantly in the coming years.

By engaging farmworker unions, growers, retailers and consumer groups, the initiativeĀ encourages open dialogue across all stakeholders in the produce industry to promote value-adding approaches to social responsibility and food safety.

ā€œThis 10th certification means that nearly 5,000 agricultural workers now have the training, tools and work environment to actively collaborate with management to provide higher levels of assurance to customers and consumers,ā€ said Kenton Harmer, certification director at EFI.

ā€œCompanies like NatureSweet are helping to pioneer a unique combination of people development and rigorous third-party verification.ā€

EFI-labeled tomatoes from NatureSweet San Isidro adhere to EFIā€™s strict food safety standards, which are built on industry best practices for preventing and detecting contamination in the fresh produce supply chain.

ā€œWe are very excited in partnering with EFI to transform the lives of agricultural workers,ā€ said Hector Espinosa, who goes by the title 'Best Company to Work For Director' at NatureSweet San Isidro.

ā€œEverywhere we go, we encounter agricultural workers, supervisors and managers who are eager to learn and proud of the work they do every day to produce safe, healthy food. For many agricultural workers, EFI trainings are a unique opportunity,ā€ said Lilian Autler, workforce development specialist at EFI.

ā€œOver and over, I have watched Leadership Teams move from being a loose collection of people who happen to work in the same place, to becoming co-workers who know and trust each other, care about each other, and want to work together to improve their workplace."

Photo: www.shutterstock.com

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