Beyond adding new companies to the program and a big influx of financial support, the Equitable Food Initiative has made a difference in 2019, the organization’s leaders believe.
“From engaging farmworkers who feel more valued to providing bonuses that help cover basic necessities, our success is measured by how we improve farmworkers’ lives,” LeAnne Ruzzamenti, director of marketing communications for EFI said in a news release. “And now 57 farming operations are applying the EFI program with active leadership teams who work to create safer and healthier conditions for 34,000 workers. As these numbers continue to grow, it’s important to reflect on the stories of the individuals and organizations who have been impacted.”
2019 saw EFI receive a $1.2 million grant from the Walmart Foundation to advance responsible labor practices in Mexico, according to the release. In addition, the group welcomed 15 new operations to its program, partnered with Costco Wholesale on a joint promotional campaign, and updated its standards to align to the Ethical Charter on Responsible Labor Practices.
Other milestones, according to the release, include continued progress toward Global Food Safety Initiative accreditation and a new two-year study by BSD Consulting that measures the effectiveness of its programs.
The release said participating growers put in place a wide variety of initiatives in 2019 to improve working conditions, overcome language barriers, develop a more collaborative work environment and provide more access to education and skill building. As part of its workforce development programs, EFI forms leadership teams that span all levels of the organization, designed to create a culture of problem-solving and continuous improvement, according to the release.
“EFI helps us engage our workforce at every level so that they understand and have input on the processes that make our food safer,” Dan Borer, general sales manager at Keystone Fruit Marketing, said in the release. “Our employees feel like they are part of the organization. If they see something in the field or in the packing house that they know isn’t right they have that freedom to come forward. It really makes a difference when you make this type of change. You are telling those workers that you are listening to them and giving them credit for the knowledge they have.”
The training and diligence displayed by farmworkers, according to the release, is rewarded with a bonus drawn from the sales of EFI produce to participating retailers. In 2019, more than $2 million will be distributed in bonuses. That brings the bonus total to more than $8.5 million since the program’s inception, according to the release.
“The farmworkers report on the necessity of these bonuses to cover basic needs such as buying food, shoes and clothing; paying utility bills; and saving for Christmas gifts,” Ruzzamenti said in the release. “Many of us might take these items for granted, but the EFI bonus program is helping meet farmworkers’ daily needs.”
To view a list of EFI-certified farms at https://equitablefood.org/efi-certified-farms/.
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