Mastronardi Produce, Kingsville, Ontario, has received Equitable Food Initiative certification for its fifth operation.
The company, which markets greenhouse produce under the Sunset brand, offers tomatoes and peppers with the EFI’s “Responsibly Grown, Farmworker Assured” label at participating Costco Wholesale and Whole Foods Market stores, according to a news release.
Mastronardi Produce’s EFI certifications are for facilities in Kingsville and four in Mexico; the most recent certification is for production in the Tepanco de Lopez region of Puebla, Mexico.
Few companies have five certified five or more locations through EFI, designed to create a more transparent food chain, safer food and healthier places to work, according to the release.
“Organizations that commit multiple locations to EFI certification truly see the value in organizational change throughout the business,” LeAnne Ruzzamenti, director of marketing communications for EFI, said in the release. “These handful of organizations that have committed to earning multiple EFI certifications do so because they have seen first-hand how workforce development fosters improved communication, food safety and innovation.”
Mastronardi has plans to offer only reusable, recyclable or compostable packaging by 2025, and developed the Green Grass Project to raise awareness about its sustainability programs.
“It is very important to us to do everything we can in the sustainability and social responsibility fronts,” Kevin Safrance, chief operating officer, said in the release. “For us, a partnership with EFI is not a one-off tactic that checks a box; rather it is our 365 mindset. We’re glad to have a partner that provides tools to help our company continue to achieve next-level success.”
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