Sponsored — People First: Social Responsibility in Fresh Produce
January 11 2022 - February 22, 2022
Presented by The Packer and Equitable Food Initiative (EFI), People First is a spotlight on social responsibility in fresh produce with several weeks of focused content published and promoted across all The Packer platforms. Headlining the program will be a free, four-part webinar series that will feature interviews with changemakers in the field and cover topics including social compliance, worker voice, recruitment, and The Ethical Charter for Responsible Labor Practices.
Session 1: Challenges and Opportunities for the American Grower
January 11, 2022 – 1:00 – 2:00 CST
Frank conversation that takes a hard look at the most pressing challenges facing the American grower and breaks down the opportunities that are needed to keep the fresh produce industry alive and thriving. The focus will be wide-ranging, from the impacts of labor shortages amid an immigration crisis to the evolving demands of an increasingly global market.
Moderator:
Amy Sowder, retail editor for The Packer and editor of PMG Magazine
Speakers:
Kevin Boyle, Business & New Product Development Director, EFI
Scott Mabs, CEO, Homegrown Organic Farms
Session 2: Solving Labor & Recruitment Challenges
January 25, 2022 – 1:00 – 2:00 CST
Comprehensive overview of how to recruit and integrate guest and H2A visa workers into your workforce. This session provides a primer on getting started, highlights critical recruitment risks to avoid, and examines the benefits of investing in clean recruitment will show up in your operation, starting with food safety.
Moderator:
Matt Rogers, co-founder and general manager, AgSocio
Speakers:
Kenton Harmer, Managing Director, EFI
Norma Encinas, H2A Program Director, CIERTO
Session 3: Hiring for the Skills of Tomorrow
February 8, 2022 – 1:00 – 2:00 CST
Industry leaders are distinguished by their capacity to anticipate and meet sudden changes in technology and market conditions. This session will explore how upskilling and credentialing agricultural workers is key to developing the competency to meet the supply chain needs of the future.
Moderator:
Kevin Boyle, Business & New Product Development Director, EFI
Speakers:
Vivian Page, Vice President of Human Capital, Stemilt Growers
Erika Castro, Human Resources Specialist, Windset Farms
Session 4: Greenhouses: A Tool for the Sustainable Future
February 22, 2022 – 1:00 – 2:00 CST
How do you implement sustainability? Growers are hearing this question more every day. This session will offer a framework for defining sustainability, explore how to get started with implementation, and share real world experiences from innovative growers who are clearing a path down this road.
Moderator:
Lilian Autler, Senior Facilitator, Workforce Development, EFI
Speakers:
Kieran Ficken, Sustainability Program Manager, Measure to Improve
Jeff Madu, Vice President, Sales, Windset
Alejandro Lopez, Grower, Windset
Session 5: Social Responsibility: What Really Matters to Consumers
May 19 2022 – 1:00 – 2:00 CST
Today’s consumer is growing more and more interested in issues surrounding social responsibility. They care about transparency, equity, environment and people. But what are the real issues causing them to vote with their wallets when it comes to purchase behavior and brand loyalty?
Join us as LeAnne Ruzzamenti of EFI and Chris Padgett, a consultant with Working Strategy, dive into the big issues that drive consumer consciousness and ultimately impact purchase behavior and brand loyalty.
Key topics and takeaways include:
• The top social responsibility issues consumers care about
• What consumer demographics are most engaged in social responsibility issues
• What social issues will most likely cause consumers to negatively respond to your brand
Ideal for marketing and communications professionals, sales and business development personnel and buyers, this webinar will help you learn more about social responsibility and what really matters to consumers.
