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Team members share how to engage workers and create responsible labor practices, sustainable approaches and more stringent food safety protocols
Members of the GoodFarms’ process improvement team will be in attendance at PMA Fresh Summit 2017 to share their insights on farm operation changes resulting from Equitable Food Initiative training and certification and how those changes help fulfill GoodFarms’ mission to improve lives from farm to table.
GoodFarms (dba Andrew & Williamson Fresh Produce) currently has eight EFI-certified farms and is working to certify its entire supply chain. GoodFarms and EFI partner to train and engage farmworkers to produce safer food, reduce pesticide use and make farms better and healthier places to work.
The formation of process improvement, or leadership, teams is a requirement of EFI certification to ensure compliance to its rigorous standards in labor practices, food safety and pest management. These teams must include individuals that represent all the work functions and reflect the demographics of the workforce.
“What differentiates our product and approach is our people, so who better to represent us at an industry event than those who look after our products each day?” noted Tom Lyons, chief tinkerer for GoodFarms. “We train and empower farmworkers to ensure our berries and vegetables are the highest quality while implementing sustainable techniques and creating better work environments. I know Fresh Summit attendees will be impressed to hear from workers firsthand how their approaches solve some of the biggest issues in the industry.”
Members of the GoodFarms’ process improvement team will be located at booth 6053 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on October 20 & 21 and are available to answer questions and discuss the benefits of engaging farmworkers to create responsible labor practices, more sustainable approaches and more stringent food safety protocols.
About GoodFarms
GoodFarms is on a mission to improve lives from farm to table. A portion of each purchase is making a difference by cultivating positive change.
Together GoodFarms and consumers can:
- Reduce food waste.
- Protect our environment.
- Feed a hungry world.
- Find alternatives for hazardous pesticides.
- Increase productivity and farm wages.
- End slavery and forced labor.
- Get children out of the fields and into schools.
GoodFarms also wants to help consumers have fun and celebrate life with food that nourishes the body and delights the soul. Here’s to good food, good health, good friends, good times, good farms.
About EFI
Equitable Food Initiative is a nonprofit certification and skill-building organization that seeks to transform agriculture and improve the lives of farmworkers. EFI brings together growers, farmworkers, retailers and consumers to solve the most pressing issues facing the fresh produce industry. Its unparalleled approach sets standards for labor practices, food safety and pest management while engaging workers at all levels on the farm to produce Responsibly Grown, Farmworker Assured™ fruits and vegetables.
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