Equitable Food Initiative recently celebrated the Ethical Charter Implementation Program's Leadership Circle at an event held on the first night of the Global Produce & Floral Show in Atlanta. The celebration recognized 26 supplier companies who have shown leadership in adopting ECIP and accelerating awareness of the importance of responsible labor practices in the produce industry.
Among the attendees were representatives from Target, Sam's Club, and Costco Wholesale. As of October 31, six buyers, 261 produce suppliers, and 1,213 growers have subscribed to the ECIP LAB platform.
L-R: Matt Modena of Windset, Mike Wellnitz of Costco and Jeff Madu of Windset.
"This celebration is about recognizing the credible engagement of these suppliers and acknowledging the role they play in the improvement of labor practices in the produce industry," said Peter O'Driscoll, executive director of EFI.
Special remarks were given by buyers from Costco and Sam's Club, highlighting their support for ECIP and emphasizing the growing need to strengthen labor management systems. Retailers underlined their appreciation for suppliers who are dedicating time, effort, and resources to align with the Ethical Charter on Responsible Labor Practices and to ensure fair labor practices all the way to the field level.
Taylor Farms is recognized by Costco.
The companies named to the Leadership Circle became 3- or 4-star suppliers in the ECIP LAB online platform by bringing their growers into the program and assessing the systems they have in place to support field-level labor practices. On November 4, merchants from Walmart, Sam's Club, Costco, Kroger, Target, and McDonalds gained access to suppliers' ECIP engagement ratings through the LAB platform and can use that data in their efforts to promote responsible labor practices throughout the supply chain.
The ECIP Leadership Circle includes:
- AMFRESH North America
- Ayco Farms
- Bonduelle
- Bostock North America
- Bridges Organic Produce
- Church Brothers Farms
- Equifruit
- The Fruitist Company
- Gold Cup Fresh
- GoodFarms
- Homegrown Organic Farms
- McEntire Produce
- Misionero
- Naturipe
- NatureSweet
- Pacific Produce
- POM Wonderful
- Peterson Farms Family of Companies
- Red Sun Farms
- Stemilt Growers
- Sun Belle
- Tanimura & Antle
- Taylor Farms
- West Pak Avocado
- William H. Kopke Jr.
- Windset Farms®
During the event, EFI recognized GoodFarms, Stemilt, and Windset for their leadership and early commitment to field-level social responsibility.
For more information:
LeAnne R. Ruzzamenti
Equitable Food Initiative
Tel.: +1 (202) 524-0540
[email protected]
https://equitablefood.org/
https://ethicalcharterprogram.org/