Hass Avocado Board plan approved for sustainability center

A proposed initial strategic plan for the Avocado Sustainability Center was unanimously approved by the Hass Avocado Committee and the Mission Viejo, Calif.-based Hass Avocado Board Sept. 21 at an HAB meeting.

The center is the first step toward developing a sustainability program that is as committed to science as much as the board’s nutritional program is, HAB says on its website.

“This new commitment gives us a path forward to do the research and to take a clear-eyed look at our industry and evaluate how we can best live up to our HAB sustainability Guiding Value,” the board said.

The strategic plan was the culmination of more than eight months of work by industry members, Avocado Sustainability Advisory members, board members and HAB staff.

“It is an effort to realize our collective commitment to sustainability, and that it is a strategic imperative for this industry,” the board said. “This work will be done to assist in continuing the growth trajectory we have been on for 20 years.”