Companies and brands that have strong core values around worker well being are inspirational on many levels. They are often leaders in their markets, demonstrating how a people-centered approach fuels innovation and quality. But that innovation often impacts internal employee benefits and programs – creating a positive feedback loop where investment in employees drives company progress. We share some examples and perspectives with the hope of sparking increased commitment and innovation around worker well-being.
Focused on Community
Naturipe and its growers are committed to improving the quality of life and community where their berries are grown.
“At Naturipe, we’ve made a commitment to ‘Cultivate with Care,’ operating our business in a way that minimizes environmental impact and simultaneously supports our local and global communities,” said Donna Lynn Browne, director of food safety and social responsibility for Naturipe Farms. “We are committed to improving the quality of life and community where we grow our berries, with a focus on children and education. Developing communities and our employees is the best investment we can make.”
The company has taken steps by offering mobile dental clinics, providing internet access, building schools and parks for local farmworker communities, and rebuilding homes in earthquake-ravaged areas. The company has been a leader in the Ethical Charter Implementation Program (ECIP) through its ongoing commitment to strengthen management systems aligned to the Charter’s Responsible Labor Practices.
Happy People Are Productive People
Clif Bar & Company has long been recognized for its commitment to its workers. The company reports it works to “sustain its people” by offering workers extensive wellness benefits and programs to address their physical and mental wellbeing.
Former CEO Kevin Cleary, who now spends his time on boards of directors and counseling other food companies, believes that, “Happy people are productive people.”
The company’s commitment is evident in its guarantee of a living wage for about 800 factory workers in Idaho and Indiana, its employee stock ownership plan, and its commitment to raise income for its cocoa farmers.
Holistic Care
Understanding the many challenges farmworkers face, Homegrown Companies offers on-site emotional and mental health support through its innovative chaplain program. Workers and their families receive confidential care and counseling, and many offer heartfelt testimonials about the program’s positive impact.
Eva Tellez, pack line lead at Peterson Family Fruit which grows and packs for Homegrown Companies, shared how much this support meant to her. “Every week they come onsite and offer to pray with us and listen to us. When my family was going through some hard things, this was really helpful to me.”
“As a company of family farms, our growers have always put people first in the way they care for, harvest and pack our fruit. Our frontline workers have access to a wide option of benefits from chaplain programs that provide on-site support to medical care for their whole family and the company’s employee stock ownership plan. We strive to live our values everyday at Homegrown, and we know that taking care of our people and our planet is the best way to deliver the absolute best fruit possible.” – Elise Smith, Marketing Manager, Homegrown Companies
Championing Workers
NatureSweet’s mission is to transform the lives of agricultural workers, and the company does that by providing a living wage, year-round work and ample opportunity for leadership and professional development. According to the CEO, Rodolfo Spielmann, workers are “the beating heart” of its business, and the reason the company has achieved double-digit growth over the past 5 years.
“Our intention is to inspire other organizations that want to improve their front lines and reap the resulting rewards. We are demonstrating that there’s no conflict between doing the right thing and being highly profitable. In fact, the former is the reason for the latter.”
NatureSweet helps communicate its mission and dedication to workers by including worker portraits on its packaging, which has been extremely popular with consumers.
As more consumers wish to support companies that are committed to socially responsible practices, having great employee programs in place and connecting them to the brand are increasingly important.
