During Farmworker Awareness Week, held March 25-31, the Equitable Food Initiative says it will recognize companies raising the bar for worker well-being, with these employers providing inspiration and evidence that ethical labor practices drive successful outcomes for workers, businesses and consumers alike.
“Farmworker Awareness Week gives us an opportunity to shine a light on the skilled workers who are the engine of the agricultural industry, along with some of the unique ways companies are caring for them,” LeAnne Ruzzamenti, director of marketing and communications for EFI, said in a news release.
Naturipe Farms and its growers offer mobile dental clinics, provide internet access, build schools and parks for local farmworker communities and rebuild homes in earthquake-ravaged areas, according to the release. EFI said the company is a leader in the Ethical Charter Implementation Program through its ongoing commitment to strengthen management systems aligned with the Ethical Charter on Responsible Labor Practices.
“At Naturipe, we’ve made a commitment to ‘Cultivate with Care,’ operating our business in a way that minimizes environmental impact and simultaneously supports our local and global communities,” said Donna Lynn Browne, senior director of food safety and social responsibility for Naturipe Farms. “We are committed to improving the quality of life and community where we grow our berries, with a focus on children and education. Developing communities and our employees is the best investment we can make.”
NatureSweet prioritizes the well-being of its farmworkers, ensuring they receive a living wage, year-round employment and opportunities for professional growth, said EFI, adding that through comprehensive development programs that focus on continuous education, leadership skills and job security, the company underscores its commitment to worker advancement and social responsibility.
EFI said NatureSweet fosters a strong connection between consumers and its associates by featuring worker portraits and QR codes on product packaging that lead to stories and videos about the associate’s role at the company. This program helps reinforce the value the company places in its workforce and demonstrates its core values of respect, dignity and empowerment, the release said.
“We deeply value each individual, and the principle of reaping what you sow is at the heart of our culture,” said Rodolfo Spielmann, president and CEO of NatureSweet. “This belief inspires our team members to not only grow within our company but to transform their lives, thrive and achieve lasting success.”
Homegrown Companies offers on-site emotional and mental health support through its innovative chaplain program, EFI said. Workers and their families receive confidential care and counseling, and many offer heartfelt testimonials about the program’s positive impact, according to the release.
“Every week they come on-site and offer to pray with us and listen to us,” Eva Tellez, pack line lead at Peterson Family Fruit, which grows and packs for Homegrown Companies, said in a news release. “When my family was going through some hard things, this was really helpful to me.”
EFI is a workforce development and certification organization that partners with growers, farmworkers and retailers.
