New report reveals environmental, financial benefits of sustainability

In what its organizers are calling “a unique example of high-level industry and government collaboration, with worker-led success,” Equitable Food Initiative and Measure to Improve have released a case study based on the results of their recently completed two-year “Produce and Reduce” pilot program.

Implemented on three California farms and funded by the California Workforce Development Board, the program yielded promising environmental and financial results, which EFI and MTI hope provide an example that will be replicated throughout the industry.

As part of the program, MTI, a Salinas, Calif.-based sustainability consultant in the fresh produce industry, worked closely with EFI, a Washington, D.C.-based workforce development and certification organization, along with the three farming operations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by implementing new waste reduction efforts.

The three participating EFI-certified farming operations — Andrew & Williamson Fresh Produce/GoodFarms, Misionero and Windset Farms — each created a “Green Team” at the outset of the program to assess current levels of waste, identify areas for improvement and implement training, education and other efforts to increase waste diversion from landfill.

Each of the three participating farms saw reductions in amounts and types of waste and implemented revenue-positive recycling efforts. All told, the program diverted 144 tons of waste material from landfill and saved 435 metric tons of carbon dioxide, EFI and MTI report.

“We're really proud of the collaborative work we did with EFI," Nikki Cossio, CEO and founder of Measure to Improve, told The Packer. "Our industry-leading areas of expertise made this program a tremendous success — EFI's skill-building expertise and MTI's sustainability program and process development.”

With the dual aim to provide fresh produce companies and their employees with the knowledge and skills necessary to develop waste reduction programs and a culture of sustainability, the program showed that “sustainability efforts are most effective when a holistic approach is taken, when management is committed, and when workers at all levels know and understand the environmental impact of their actions,” said Kieran Ficken, director of sustainability programs for MTI.

Building a dream green team

As the Produce and Reduce pilot program was developed around the idea that the success of an organizationwide waste reduction program would depend on the engagement of the entire workforce at all levels, each pilot site established a Green Team of 12 to 20 members from upper-level management, accounting and data analysis, human resources and training, operations management, field/plant supervision, facilities maintenance and frontline planters, pruners, harvesters and janitors.

“Engaging the entire workforce in sustainability efforts can be a powerful way to create organization-wide change and motivate people to take action to reduce our environmental impacts both in the workplace and at home,” Lilian Autler, EFI organizational and workforce development manager, said in the report.

EFI and MTI led the Green Team members at each pilot site through training sessions and hands-on activities to build their capacity to develop and implement a waste reduction plan.

Farm fresh results

GoodFarms’ Buenaventura Ranch in Santa Maria, Calif., was one of three agricultural operations that participated in the program. The grower of berries and tomatoes, who says it’s on a mission to “improve lives from farm to table,” saw benefits to both the environment and its bottom line.

An initial waste audit found that 51% of materials being sent to landfill — 40% of which was cardboard—could be recycled. Focusing on this area not only helped divert materials from landfill, but it also represented a cost savings, allowing GoodFarms to earn money on recycling cardboard rather than paying to send it to the landfill.

The year after the program launched, the company saved more than $3,500 by recycling cardboard; recycled 71.5 tons of cardboard; and diverted 13% of its waste from landfills overall, the report found.

“This project was a natural fit for GoodFarms. Investing in sustainability is a core value for the company because it simultaneously improves the quality of our products and the quality of lives by protecting our ecosystem and preserving natural resources for future generations,” said Amalia Zimmerman-Lommel, director of social responsibility for GoodFarms.

Misionero, Gonzales, Calif., already had a program in place for diverting cardboard and green waste from landfill, but the Misionero Green Team wanted to analyze, improve and track those processes. In addition, Misionero focused on decreasing the amount of plastic as well as other materials from offices, breakrooms and kitchens that went to the landfill. The team partnered with Salinas Valley Recycles for training and started a companywide recycling program.

The program led to a 35.5% increase in the amount of cardboard recycled, or an additional 46 tons. Mixed recyclables increased by nearly 10 tons. The team reduced the volume of overall materials going to the landfill by 53%, sending 1.5 tons less than before the start of the program.

"Making improvements for waste reduction led to positive results from this project, but the element that will have lasting impacts on both the company and individual was the focus on creating a culture of sustainability,” Nicole Zapata, marketing director for Misionero, said in the report. “The education and mindset shifts we all experienced will ensure a lifelong commitment to environmental improvements both at work and home."

Seeing an opportunity to focus on cardboard, the Windset Farms Green Team formalized a program to divert it from landfill through a recycling program. In 2021, they recycled 256 tons of corrugated cardboard and increased that in 2022 by 22% to 314 tons.

The team also focused on ensuring recyclable cans and bottles were placed in proper containers and diverted from the landfill, and since September 2022, they have recycled more than 1,300 pounds.

Thirdly, the team worked to ensure organic waste bins were filled to capacity to reduce the number of truck trips to the composting site. Through these efforts during the program, the Windset Green Team reduced 17.24 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions.

“We have saved money and generated funds through increased recycling and waste reduction programs. Every single company should get started, because there are financial savings along with positive environmental impacts,” Jeff Madu, vice president of sales for Windset Farms, said in the report.

Rewarding results

While waste reduction programs take time and effort and require the engagement of an entire organization, there is much to be gained across the supply chain.

"It was exciting to see the teams come back and say, 'It really works.' The participating organizations reduced costs associated with waste and can now use this information to build brand trust and communicate their efforts with consumers and retailers," said Cossio of MTI.

There are also mental health benefits to engaging in a sustainability program that is good for the company, the community and the environment, as Cossio saw Produce and Reduce sparking an increase in company morale across the board.

"I'm proud of the organizations that committed to participating and getting engaged," Cossio said. "How far-reaching the impact of this program was encouraging to see. Everybody who participated in the training and the education took it seriously within their organizations and started spreading the word outside their organizations.

"Although this program centered around waste, it's an example of how to approach any sustainability initiative," she continued. "I hope the Produce and Reduce case study presents an opportunity for other industry leaders to participate in the conversation and take action in doing their part, take responsibility for impacts and identify opportunities to reduce waste within their organizations."

More about EFI and MTI

Bringing together growers, farmworkers, retailers and consumers, Equitable Food Initiative is a nonprofit certification and skill-building organization that seeks to increase transparency in the food supply chain and improve the lives of farmworkers through a team-based approach to training and continuous improvement practices.

Measure to Improve was founded in 2014 by Nikki Cossio. Today, MTI has a dedicated staff with a proven track record of helping companies identify and implement strategies to increase resource efficiency, validate results and communicate sustainability efforts.

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