Avocado grower-shipper GLC Cerritos LLC has hired Armando Garcia as director of sustainability.
The company, based in the Mexican state of Jalisco, says the newly created position will evaluate current sustainability initiatives within the company and define a strategy for future projects.
“Cerritos has shown a strong commitment for its sustainable development over the years, which makes it a very unique company within the Mexican Avocado sector; therefore, I am very excited to undertake this new position and work to strengthen Cerritos sustainability program” Garcia said in a news release.
GLC Cerritos said Garcia most recently worked as managing director of the Jalisco Avocado Growers and Exporters Association, or APEAJAL, where he was originally hired to develop its sustainability department. He introduced projects with Rainforest Alliance, the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization, the Business Alliance for Climate, and Stronger Together, and he worked on a reforestation program and other green initiatives that APEAJAL has sponsored, according to the release.
“Cerritos is known throughout the industry for their sustainability efforts. They strive to live up to their mission — ‘To inspire agribusiness with sustainability by producing healthy food for the world,’” Garcia said in the release, citing projects such as a responsible recruiting initiative with Stronger Together.
GLC Cerritos says it farms 3,000 acres of avocados, all of which are certified by GlobalGAP and Rainforest Alliance. The company added that it is currently working to secure fair trade certification in preparation for the 2024-25 Mexico avocado season.
Company owner Saul Medina said in the release that Garcia will first do a deep dive into Cerritos’ current sustainability projects, including governance, human rights, labor and environmental standards. From there he will develop a sustainability strategy to define how these projects will continue to evolve in the future, and which others will come to bring in sustainability’s full spectrum into the company, according to the release.
“There is so much good that the Mexican avocado industry brings to the communities where we work, U.S. Division President Giovanni Cavaletto said in the release. “Mr. Garcia is a great addition to the team to help define our sustainability strategies and share the message of these efforts with the rest of the industry.”
