In this episode of the podcast, LeAnne Ruzzamenti, Marketing Director of Equitable Food Initiative (EFI) had the opportunity of speaking with Maggie Torres, Manager of Learning & Development and Senior Business Partner at Stemilt Growers. Maggie sheds light on the crucial topic of parking lot, traffic, and road safety, and how Stemilt Growers embarked on a journey of continuous improvement to ensure the well-being of their workers. Through their collaboration with EFI Teams and their commitment to open communication, Stemilt Growers has made remarkable strides in enhancing safety standards.
At Stemilt Growers, regular meetings with EFI Teams serve as a platform for discussing challenges, addressing issues, and seeking opportunities for improvement. During one of these discussions, the team recognized a significant gap in the area of road safety – the absence of stop signs and speed limits. With a high volume of pedestrian traffic, it became imperative to take action and prioritize the safety of workers.
Driven by their dedication to EFI standards, Stemilt Growers swiftly implemented the necessary signage and speed limits to mitigate potential incidents on the roads. Remarkably, this proactive approach inspired neighboring orchards to follow suit and improve safety measures within their farms. To delve deeper into the process of implementing enhanced signals and fostering safety in neighborhood orchards, tune in to our podcast.
Stemilt Growers and EFI recognize that the professionals working in the field have firsthand experience and invaluable insights into the challenges they face. Thus, they prioritize creating a safe space for workers to voice their concerns, share information, and collectively find solutions. With the support of EFI, Stemilt Growers encourages open communication and empowers their workforce to play an active role in identifying and addressing safety issues. This approach fosters a sense of confidence and demonstrates that worker voices matter.
EFI has truly brought out the best in every worker at Stemilt Growers. By embracing a collaborative approach and acknowledging the expertise of their workforce, Stemilt Growers has created an environment where worker input is valued and acted upon. The result is a safer workplace that reflects the commitment of the entire organization to the well-being of their workers.
