People First: A review of social responsibility in produce
Presented by The Packer and Equitable Food Initiative (EFI), People First: A Spotlight on Social Responsibility included several weeks of focused content. Headlining the program was be a free four-part webinar series that featured interviews with leaders in the field and covered topics including social compliance, worker voice, recruitment, and The Ethical Charter for Responsible Labor Practices.
The Ethical Charter on Responsible Labor Practices
There is every good reason for produce operators to support the Ethical Charter on Responsible Labor Practices, and no reason not to.
That was the gist of an in-depth discussion of the Ethical Charter on Responsible Labor Practices during a virtual Farm Journal round table for the Equitable Food Initiative.
The Feb. 23 event featured a review of the history and adoption of the Ethical Charter since it was developed and what may be ahead for the initiative.
Moderated by The Packer’s Tom Karst, the event featured Peter O’Driscoll, executive director of the EFI; Anabella de Freeman, senior manager of sustainability strategic initiatives for produce for Walmart; and Ed Treacy, vice president of supply chain and sustainability for the Produce Marketing Association. (Continue reading...)
Myths and Realities of Social Compliance
Common misconceptions about social compliance and the reality behind them was the focus of a March 2 People First Farm Journal web seminar for the Equitable Food Initiative.
The event, featuring panelists Karla Cook, certification manager for EFI, and Amalia Lommel, director of social responsibility and human resources for San Diego-based GoodFarms.(Continue reading...)
Integrating Worker Voice
Integrating worker voices into agricultural operations can improve efficiency, contribute to better employee retention, discover hidden problems and create a more cohesive culture, panelists at the March 9 Farm Journal web seminar on social responsibility topics for the Equitable Food Initiative. The hour-long session was moderated by The Packer’s editor Tom Karst and featured panelists Gretta Siebentritt, director of workforce development for the EFI and Pamela Aceves, global human resources director for NatureSweet. (Continue reading...)
What Does Responsible Recruitment Mean?
You’ve got more than enough on your plate, but you know you need good people to make your business work.
A people-first approach to your business or farm starts with how you recruit your labor — a tougher than ever part of the produce business, with labor shortages, the pandemic’s unpredictable market, changing immigration rules and a 4.5% increase in the H-2A Adverse Effect Wage Rate in 2021.
In a March 16 webinar hosted by The Packer’s editor in chief Tom Karst, agriculture labor recruiter Cierto teamed with Equitable Food Initiative for a deep dive into responsible recruitment, focusing on how a farm can go beyond reducing its risks and create a consistent labor pool of qualified professionals. (Continue reading...)
Podcasts
Social responsibility certifications and legislation worldwide - Episode 37 of Tip of the Iceberg Podcast features an interview with Hugo Hays, global director of compliance and food safety for Fyffes, on the topic of social responsibility.
Long-term strategies for social responsibility - Episode 39 of Tip of the Iceberg Podcast features an interview with Aaron Brookes, director of sales and marketing for Jacobs Farm Del Cabo. This conversation is part of The Packer’s new content series People First: A Spotlight on Social Responsibility.
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