Latest News From Social Responsibility

Brighter Bites, DoorDash team up to deliver fresh produce to families in need
Brighter Bites, DoorDash team up to deliver fresh produce to families in need

Brighter Bites, with DoorDash support, says it is expanding a Produce Rx program, delivering fresh produce to families for better health outcomes and tackling food insecurity.

Coalition of Immokalee Workers holding farmworker freedom festival
Coalition of Immokalee Workers holding farmworker freedom festival

Celebrations and creative arts will highlight the human rights progress achieved through the Fair Food Program, while emphasizing efforts to expand those gains to U.S. farmworkers beyond the program’s protections.

Harris Teeter and Consalo Family Farms partner to benefit food bank
Harris Teeter and Consalo Family Farms partner to benefit food bank

For every pound of Little Smoochies mandarins purchased at North Carolina Harris Teeter locations from March 6-12, Consalo Family Farms will donate a pound of mandarin oranges to a food bank.

Dole Organic Fair Trade Certified Pineapples earn Good Housekeeping sustainable innovation award
Dole Organic Fair Trade Certified Pineapples earn Good Housekeeping sustainable innovation award

Dole Organic Fair Trade Certified Pineapples are grown year-round in Costa Rica according to strict social, environmental and economic standards, says Dole Food Co.

Grupo Alta hosts farmworker social event ahead of Jalisco grape season
Grupo Alta hosts farmworker social event ahead of Jalisco grape season

La Escuela de Asociados, which is Spanish for the School of Associates, is a key component of Grupo Alta's recruitment process when new workers from the southern states of Mexico migrate north for employment.

National Produce Prescription Collaborative’s fly-in promotes food as medicine
National Produce Prescription Collaborative’s fly-in promotes food as medicine

The event, hosted by the Department of Health and Human Services, highlighted the correlation between nutrition and health.

Mango importer's campaign to aid jaguar conservation programs
Mango importer's campaign to aid jaguar conservation programs

Splendid by Porvenir says its Save the Jaguar campaign will return to celebrate the upcoming Jaguar honey mango crop.

Village Farms honored as outstanding employer
Village Farms honored as outstanding employer

A nonprofit in British Columbia has recognized Village Farms Fresh and its sister company, Pure Sunfarms, for efforts to promote diversity and strong company culture.

Superfresh Growers increases volunteer hours for community
Superfresh Growers increases volunteer hours for community

The Yakima, Wash.-based company says its employees contributed 50% more hours to community service in 2023 compared with the previous year.

FirstFruits Farms seeks applicants for Opal Apple Youth Make A Difference Grant Program
FirstFruits Farms seeks applicants for Opal Apple Youth Make A Difference Grant Program

The Yakima, Wash.-based company says the initiative aims to empower young changemakers to transform their dreams into impactful projects that contribute to positive change in their communities.

SpartanNash named one of 'America's Greatest Workplaces for Diversity 2024'
SpartanNash named one of 'America's Greatest Workplaces for Diversity 2024'

The company received the award based on quantitative data from an associate survey as well as other qualitative scoring methods.

myplate
FMI recognized for MyPlate National Strategic Partnership efforts

The Arlington, Va.-based organization said the MyPlate National Strategic Partnership named it a champion, which is the partnership’s highest level of recognition.

How Stop & Shop is fighting school hunger
How Stop & Shop is fighting school hunger

Stop & Shop and Badger Technologies are partnering on a #MartyTheRobot special promotion at the National Retail Federation 2024 in support of the School Food Pantry Program at New York City-area schools.

Little Bear Produce and Driscoll Children’s Hospital transform young lives together
Little Bear Produce and Driscoll Children’s Hospital transform young lives together

A new endowment is set to fund wellness programs for children in South Texas.

Dole launches health and wellness programs for 2024
Dole launches health and wellness programs for 2024

The company is once again partnering with No Kid Hungry and will host its Share our Strength program to raise funds and awareness for children in need.

The Giant Co.’s Feeding School Kids initiative returns
The Giant Co.’s Feeding School Kids initiative returns

Customers are invited to round up their purchases to the nearest dollar, buy a reusable bag or convert their Choice shopper points into a donation for local public school districts’ food programs.

Stemilt helps local children in foster care at holidays
Stemilt helps local children in foster care at holidays

This is the 11th year employees of the grower, packer and shipper of tree fruit shopped, wrapped and donated gifts to children in the care of the Washington State Department of Children, Youth and Family Services.

Equitable Food Initiative shares its 2023 year in review
Equitable Food Initiative shares its 2023 year in review

The organization shares how newly launched programs help bring it closer to its mission and how connecting growers and suppliers helps move the industry forward.

New toolkit from IFPA helps produce industry expand diversity efforts
New toolkit from IFPA helps produce industry expand diversity efforts

This new resource from the International Fresh Produce Association offers guidance and certifications on how to develop and implement diversity, equity and inclusion programs.

Fyffes melon subsidiary in Honduras receives social responsibility recognition
Fyffes melon subsidiary in Honduras receives social responsibility recognition

The Socially Responsible Company Seal was awarded for the company’s commitment to corporate social responsibility and the well-being of its workers and their communities.

Why Bobalu Berry Farms built a downtown ‘strawberry field’ using canned food
Why Bobalu Berry Farms built a downtown ‘strawberry field’ using canned food

Bobalu took part in the annual Can-tree event where participants build holiday trees from canned food that is later used to provide meals for those in need within the community.

Founders of responsible labor program seek to expand its reach
Founders of responsible labor program seek to expand its reach

Six founding members of the Ethical Charter Implementation Program want to invite suppliers and growers to be a part of the newly launched program.

Dole employee financial program wins social responsibility grand prize
Dole employee financial program wins social responsibility grand prize

The American-Costa Rican Chamber of Commerce has awarded top honors to Dole's Financial Education Program for Farm Employees — a program that helps employees reduce indebtedness and alleviate economic hardships.

Taylor Farms recognized for its corporate leadership by Rabobank
Taylor Farms recognized for its corporate leadership by Rabobank

The Salinas, Calif.-based salad giant Taylor Farms was among the honorees at the bank’s North America Leadership Awards Summit in New York City.

Del Monte Foods recognized for its diversity and equality efforts
Del Monte Foods recognized for its diversity and equality efforts

The Walnut Creek, Calif.-based company said it earned a perfect score on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation's assessment of LGBTQ+ workplace equality.

Lidl US releases first corporate social responsibility report
Lidl US releases first corporate social responsibility report

The Arlington, Va.-based company says its CSR strategy includes working to provide solutions to environmental and social issues that matter most to its team members, communities and other valued stakeholders.

How Food Rescue Hero is diverting surplus food to households in need
How Food Rescue Hero is diverting surplus food to households in need

Ridesharing-style technology is helping deliver surplus food from businesses to access points for food-insecure communities — and one program brings donations directly to the doors of those with barriers to food access.

DNO Produce launches 10th annual Fresh-Cut Food Drive
DNO Produce launches 10th annual Fresh-Cut Food Drive

Throughout December, the bulk and fresh-cut produce provider is turning donations to WCBE-FM into an opportunity to provide 3 pounds of fresh, nutritious fruits and vegetables to those in need.

EFI, Kroger explore the Ethical Charter Implementation Program
EFI, Kroger explore the Ethical Charter Implementation Program

Peter O’Driscoll, executive director of Equitable Food Initiative, and Kim Combs, supplier verification manager with The Kroger Co., explore the topic in this “Tip of the Iceberg” podcast.

Mission Produce celebrates its 2023 global community giving
Mission Produce celebrates its 2023 global community giving

Oxnard, Calif.-based Mission Produce, Inc. has announced its 2023 global giving results to positively impact its surrounding communities.

Del Monte Foods says partnership with nonprofit is advancing nutrition education
Del Monte Foods says partnership with nonprofit is advancing nutrition education

The company says the commitment was made in support of its Growers of Good purpose to foster a healthier tomorrow by making nutritious foods more accessible to all.

 Lipman Family Farms celebrates 'Day of Good' by giving back
Lipman Family Farms celebrates 'Day of Good' by giving back

The annual event is marked by Lipman locations across North America uniting to devote time to serving communities.

CMI Orchards salutes veterans with American Dream apples
CMI Orchards salutes veterans with American Dream apples

Wenatchee, Wash.-based CMI Orchards says its ready to keep up traditions and let its dedication to the American Dream shine this Veterans Day.

'I did not expect this path in my life,' says Evan Ehlers of Sharing Excess
'I did not expect this path in my life,' says Evan Ehlers of Sharing Excess

“I did not expect this path for my life,” said Evan Ehlers, founder of Sharing Excess on this “Tip of the Iceberg” podcast episode.

Lipman Family Farms donates over 260,000 meals for families
Lipman Family Farms donates over 260,000 meals for families

The total donation more than tripled a 75,000-meal goal that was issued as a challenge to employees as part of Lipman Family Farms' 75th anniversary celebration, the company says.

Fresh produce nonprofit expands to serve more Arizona schools
Fresh produce nonprofit expands to serve more Arizona schools

Brighter Bites, a nonprofit that delivers fresh fruits and vegetables directly into families’ hands, is expanding its offerings to six Phoenix-area schools.

U.S. Apple launches 2023-24 Apples4Ed Grant Program
U.S. Apple launches 2023-24 Apples4Ed Grant Program

Five $5,000 grants will be given to schools that are bringing awareness to nutrition and exposing students to a wider variety of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Brighter Bites, Zespri Kiwifruit extend partnership
Brighter Bites, Zespri Kiwifruit extend partnership

The Houston-based national nonprofit that delivers fresh fruits and vegetables directly into families’ hands, has announced another year of partnership with Zespri Kiwifruit for the current 2023-24 school year.

Sterman Masser partners with Society of St. Andrew to give back to community
Sterman Masser partners with Society of St. Andrew to give back to community

The inaugural Potato Palooza aimed to glean and share farm-fresh food in local communities.

‘Ethically sourced produce is having its moment,' says Fair Trade USA's Paul Rice
‘Ethically sourced produce is having its moment,' says Fair Trade USA's Paul Rice

The founder and CEO shares highlights of the nonprofit’s Produce Program Innovation launch.

Backed by calls from producers, Fairtrade America ups its banana price minimums
Backed by calls from producers, Fairtrade America ups its banana price minimums

The fair-trade certifier has increased its Fairtrade Minimum Price across 16 banana-growing countries. These price updates were informed by stakeholder consultation and a cost of production study.

NatureSweet says all branded tomato products now Fair Trade Certified
NatureSweet says all branded tomato products now Fair Trade Certified

NatureSweet says all its branded tomatoes — including Cherubs, Glorys, Constellation, Comets, Twilights and D’Vines — meet rigorous safety, environmental protection and sustainable livelihood standards.

Seald Sweet presenting limited-edition packaging to help anti-cancer efforts
Seald Sweet presenting limited-edition packaging to help anti-cancer efforts

Seald Sweet/Greenyard USA will present limited-edition packaging for lemons at the International Fresh Produce Association’s Global Produce & Floral Show.

Produce exports impeded by political unrest in Guatemala
Produce exports impeded by political unrest in Guatemala

The Guatemalan fresh produce supply chain is experiencing logistics delays due to protests and road closures, says the Guatemala Produce Trade Association.

Produce brands give back at nutrition-themed charity trivia party
Produce brands give back at nutrition-themed charity trivia party

Healthy Family Project brought together over 100 dietitians to raise money and connect at the Food Nutrition Conference & Expo in Denver.

Chiquita partners with American Cancer Society for breast cancer awareness
Chiquita partners with American Cancer Society for breast cancer awareness

“Each year, breast cancer affects women and their families across the globe, which is why Chiquita is proud to once again pledge our support and help raise awareness,” said Chiquita's Tina Varjabedian.

Coalition of Immokalee Workers co-founder to receive medal for human rights achievements
Coalition of Immokalee Workers co-founder to receive medal for human rights achievements

Coalition of Immokalee Workers co-founder Lucas Benitez has been selected to receive the Wallenberg Medal, joining past recipients who include the Dalai Lama, John Lewis, Elie Wiesel and Desmond Tutu.

Labor advocates snag Walmart seed money to launch Ethical Charter program
Labor advocates snag Walmart seed money to launch Ethical Charter program

The Equitable Food Initiative and Sustainability Consortium-led Ethical Charter Implementation Program seeks to strengthen and recognize engagement around labor practices in fresh produce.

Brighter Bites ambassadors to promote its nutrition education mission
Brighter Bites ambassadors to promote its nutrition education mission

Houston-based Brighter Bites has announced the launch of the Brighter Bites Ambassador Program.

Farming under a big red sun: Worker advocates push for heat-stress protections
Farming under a big red sun: Worker advocates push for heat-stress protections

Advocates are urging action to support workers outside who are harvesting, packing and transporting fresh produce through a summer of record-breaking temperatures.