Equitable Food Initiative, the workforce development and certification organization, announced a two-year grant from the California Workforce Development Board awarded in conjunction with Measure to Improve, LLC. Measure to Improve is a sustainability consultant in the fresh produce industry and will work with EFI to evaluate improved worker outcomes and reduced greenhouse gas emissions from implementing new waste reduction efforts.
Produce & Reduce Team meeting at Misionero.
The grant is part of California Workforce Development Board’s High Road Training Partnership, a multi-industry state project meant to develop industry-driven partnerships that deliver equity, sustainability and job quality through regional skills strategies designed to support economically and environmentally resilient communities.
Three EFI-certified farming operations--Andrew & Williamson Fresh Produce/GoodFarms, Misionero and Windset Farms--are piloting the Produce & Reduce program.
“Farming operations that have worker-manager collaborative teams and have been trained in communication and problem-solving skills as part of their EFI certification are in a unique position for this project,” said Lilian Autler, senior facilitator at EFI and project manager for the grant. “They can now apply these skills to sustainability by collaborating to find new ways to reduce materials waste, food loss and ultimately greenhouse gas emissions.”
Presentation during Andrew & Williamson Fresh Produce’s meeting of its Produce & Reduce Team.
The program offers timely solutions to address a growing problem. Just as climate change mitigation is high on the current administration’s agenda, it is also a priority for farmers.
“Industry-driven collaborations have offered unique insights into sustainability solutions, and we are excited to work within the agriculture space, which plays an important role in California’s economy,” said Rafael Aguilera, field specialist from the California Workforce Development Board.
EFI partnered with MTI because of its sustainability expertise and customer successes in the fresh produce industry. MTI recommended a waste reduction program as a starting point for this grant project because it would engage employees and help growers reduce costs while addressing key California legislative objectives to reduce waste to landfills, minimize food loss and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
“Agricultural producers should explore steps to adapt their businesses to the reality of climate,” said Nikki Cossio, founder and CEO of Measure to Improve. “We’ve partnered with EFI to develop a waste reduction initiative as the first step in formalizing a program tracking and reporting sustainability data while connecting employees to the impact their day-to-day work has on greenhouse gas emissions and climate change.”
For more information:
LeAnne R. Ruzzamenti
Equitable Food Initiative
Tel: +1 (202) 524-0540
[email protected]
https://equitablefood.org/
Nikki Cossio
Measure to Improve, LLC
Tel: +1 (831) 594-7972
[email protected]
https://www.measuretoimprovellc.com/