San Antonio-based NatureSweet, released its fifteenth annual Sustainability Report. The controlled environment agriculture company said its comprehensive report offers a detailed view of the company’s performance and demonstrates its commitment to environment, social, and governance (ESG) principles.
The company achieved B Corp certification in 2023 and is also Fair Trade and Equitable Food Initiative certified.
The company shared these highlights from its sustainability report:
- Launched a bachelor’s degree program in agriculture and the first class will earn degrees in 2028.
- Partnered with Fundación EDUCA México A.C. for “Escuelas por la Tierra”, where more than 1,800 elementary and middle school students learned about sustainable food, including planting gardens at six local schools.
- Donated produce and provided more than 6.25 million meals to families in need throughout North America.
- Became a Corp Company with a first-time certification score of 114 points, which is 34 points above the minimum requirement.
- 100% of its branded snacking tomatoes have become Fair Trade Certified.
- NatureSweet’s safety index was 0.21%, which the company said is several times better than OSHA standards in the U.S.
- Replaced 79% of virgin plastic in branded products with recycled material.
- Voluntarily protected 50 hectares (123 acres) for conservation in Jalisco, Mexico.
“This report underscores NatureSweet’s commitment to demonstrate that doing the right thing and building a successful business are not only not in conflict, but one is the consequence of the other,” says Rodolfo Spielmann, president and CEO of NatureSweet. “We’re committed to transforming the lives of all agricultural workers in North America and we’re inviting every company to join us in providing them with lifechanging opportunities that incentivize good work, offer them broader access to healthcare services, and education. We are creating a sustainable workforce that is proud of what it does and demonstrates it with superior quality every day. We hope our success convinces others in the industry to replicate this path.”
