The Equitable Food Initiative says 2024 was a groundbreaking year for the organization, marked by advancements in ethical labor practices, collaboration and workforce development across the produce supply chain.
EFI shared a key highlight from the year: the rapid growth of the Ethical Charter Implementation Program. Administered by EFI, the program launched November 2023 and gained significant momentum in 2024, according to a news release.
More than 260 suppliers and 1,200 growers have joined the ECIP LAB platform to date, fostering collaboration, accountability and engagement across the supply chain, said EFI, which added that the growth underscores the produce industry’s commitment to advancing responsible labor practices.
“EFI has made significant progress in strengthening buyer, supplier, and grower participation in ECIP this year,” Laura Himes, vice president of produce sourcing for Walmart, said in the release. “We are constantly learning and growing from these initiatives. By scaling best practices across the industry, we can create a more sustainable future for all stakeholders. We’re thrilled to be a part of this important work providing labor tools and training at scale.”
EFI said it will continue to drive innovation in workforce development and labor practices with the Ethical Charter Implementation Program in 2025. Plans include the introduction of optional worker surveys to give employees the chance to assess the impact of labor management systems, as well as a new engagement tool for farm labor contractors to ensure that all employers and workers in the supply chain understand the principles of the Ethical Charter.
The organization said it also will expand educational initiatives in 2025 to provide information and tools needed to maximize ECIP engagement.
EFI said other highlights from the year include bringing training and educational opportunities to the full industry for the first time in 2024 through a suite of learning products, from free webinars to one-hour seminars and intensive customized courses. The organization said more than 500 attendees furthered their understanding of core social responsibility concepts aligned with the Ethical Charter.
2024 marked a decade of significant milestones for the organization as it recently celebrated the 10th anniversary of its first EFI certification and will observe its 10th year as an independent nonprofit in April 2025.
To date:
- More than 60,000 workers on EFI-certified farms have seen improved working conditions.
- EFI has trained nearly 5,000 agriculture professionals — more than 150 in 2024 — in critical skills such as communication and problem-solving.
- The organization has certified farms that have produced more than 100 million pounds of fresh produce, spanning 47 different commodities.
- Nearly $25 million in farmworker bonuses have been generated, including more than $4 million in 2024.
In 2024, the following suppliers received their first EFI certification:
- Bridges Organic Produce.
- Del Fresco Pure.
- FirstFruits Farms.
- Nature Farms Management LLC.
- Scenic Fruit Co.
“Reaching these milestones is more than a celebration of progress so far; it’s a call to action for the future,” said Peter O’Driscoll, EFI executive director. “The Ethical Charter Implementation Program represents the next chapter in EFI’s mission to build a more ethical, sustainable and worker-centered food system.”
