Stemilt Growers advances sustainability initiatives

Wenatchee, Wash.-based Stemilt Growers has several ongoing initiatives related to sustainability, said Brianna Shales, marketing director.

Among its significant work on environmental issues, Stemilt has invested in solar panels, a large composting operation and was certified as Bee Friendly Farmers in 2021, she said.

Relating to food waste, Shales said adding Apeel plant-based protection on many organic apples helps to prevent food waste in shoppers' homes and improve the consumer experience with Stemilt’s organic apples. 

“Without protection, apples dehydrate quickly, and crispness is lost,” she said. “We are always working to give freshness back to consumers through our operations, and Apeel is one tool in the toolbox that helps us do that.”

On the issue of social responsibility, Shales said workforce culture is a focus at Stemilt.

“We were proud to be the first tree fruit supplier to fully certify our operations with Equitable Food Initiative back in August,” Shales said. “EFI provides training and develops cross-functional leadership teams that focus on continuous improvement.”

Stemilt has trained over 100 people on EFI’s standards, and Shales said the company has nine active leadership teams that dedicate 8,000 hours annually towards EFI and continuous improvement initiatives. 

In addition, Stemilt provides a Family Clinic that provides free, on-site primary health care services (and free prescriptions) to its 3,000 Stemilt employees and their immediate dependents. “It’s an amazing benefit to help with people's well-being that is now going into its 7th year,” she said.