Innovative farming techniques, the latest energy conservation programs and efficiencies to reduce their carbon footprint are some of the practices berry grower-shippers have implemented to meet their sustainability goals.
“Sustainability is no longer just a buzzword; it has become a core expectation across the supply chain,” says Brad Peterson, director of business development for Watsonville, Calif.-based California Giant Berry Farms.
The firm’s trade partners are increasingly focused on topics that directly impact their business, such as packaging regulations like Extended Producer Responsibility and social responsibility initiatives like ethical sourcing and compliance programs, he says.
“Responsible production and food safety standards remain central to these conversations, with GlobalG.A.P. certification reinforcing trust and transparency,” Peterson says.
Sustainability also plays an important role at Salinas, Calif.-based Naturipe Farms LLC, says Janis McIntosh, director of marketing innovation and sustainability.
“Sustainability at Naturipe starts on the farm and is part of our everyday decision-making,” she says. “Our growers are constantly testing, learning and improving how they farm.”
Because Naturipe’s growers are owners, they’re invested in making sure their farms thrive for the next generation, McIntosh adds.
“That mindset drives real action,” she says.
Sustainability is embedded across all operations at Century City, Calif.-based Fruitist, from how berries are grown to how they are packed and distributed, says Steve Magami, co-founder and CEO.
“Because we operate a vertically integrated model, we’re able to implement and scale these practices more consistently across the supply chain,” he says.
Late last year, California Giant achieved B Corp certification, which Peterson describes as “a milestone that signifies we meet the highest verified standards of social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability.”
The certification holds the company accountable to its stakeholders and ensures the business operates as “a force for good from the inside out,” he says.
The company’s involvement in sustainability is visible across several key areas of its operations.
“We have invested in a solar array at our Santa Maria, Calif., cooling facility, which helps offset grid electricity use and reduce our carbon footprint,” Peterson says.
“We require 100% grower compliance with integrated pest management and were the first to offer Bee Better Certified blueberries, which requires our partners to dedicate at least 5% of their land to creating high-quality pollinator habitats,” he adds.
And through California Giant’s supplier code of conduct, the company maintains a 100% sign-off rate among its growers, ensuring alignment on human rights and safety, Peterson says.
The company’s philanthropic efforts have resulted in more than $290,000 donated to community causes and food banks.
At Naturipe Farms, growers are actively testing new varieties and farming techniques to improve soil health, reduce inputs and increase yields, McIntosh says.
“They are strategic in their water usage, adjusting in real time based on variety, weather and field conditions,” she says.
Though Naturipe growers have always focused on field-level sustainability, their work in recent years has expanded and transformed into a learning center, McIntosh says.
“Our grower-owners have now set aside specific acreage just for testing new and innovative sustainable practices,” she says. “These fully staffed ranches implement, monitor and report on various trials from new pollinator and cover crop mixes to irrigation and machinery calibration.”
Their research is shared inside and outside of the company.
Fruitist became the first fruit company in Peru to achieve Level 3 carbon footprint accreditation and is on track for net zero by 2030, Magami says.
“Sustainability measures include advanced irrigation that reduces water use by 20% per hectare, solar installations covering up to 35% of electricity at certain facilities and planting 5,000 acres of forest reserves in Peru,” he says.
