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EFI's Latest News

EFI Recognizes Women at the Heart of Agriculture

Equitable Food Initiative is excited to announce the launch of an awareness campaign for Farmworker Women’s Health Week, May 11–17, 2025....

Tip of the Iceberg Podcast – Episode 24: Previewing This Year’s Farmworker of the Year Awards

In the latest episode of Tip of the Iceberg, LeAnne Ruzzamenti, Director of Marketing and Communications at the Equitable Food Initiative (EFI), previews the second annual Farmworker of the Year (FWOY) Award. A celebration of the often-overlooked individuals who are...

EFI-Certified Rouge River Farms Honored as AFOP Employer Excellence Award Recipient

This recognition from AFOP, along with Rouge River Farm's fully EFI-certified supply chain, reflects Rouge River Farms’ unwavering commitment to fostering a safe, inclusive and empowering workplace for farmworkers, many of whom are part of underserved communities....

EFI Champions Sustainability Efforts for Earth Day 2025

Equitable Food Initiative (EFI), the nonprofit capacity-building and certification organization that partners with growers, farmworkers and retailers, recognizes Earth Day as a call to action for protecting the land and resources that sustain our food systems....

Equitable Food Initiative Marks 10-Year Milestone

Since its founding, EFI has worked with 90 farming operations across five countries, improving working conditions for at least 65,000 farmworkers. Through training programs that emphasize communication, conflict resolution and continuous improvement, nearly 5,000 workers have been equipped with critical...

EFI Highlights Companies That Champion Worker Well-being During Farmworker Awareness Week

“Farmworker Awareness Week gives us an opportunity to shine a light on the skilled workers who are the engine of the agricultural industry, along with some of the unique ways companies are caring for them,” said LeAnne Ruzzamenti, director of...

EFI Celebrates Women’s History Month

Equitable Food Initiative, the workforce development and certification organization that partners with growers, farmworkers and retailers, is celebrating Women’s History Month by sharing resources, downloadable graphics and stories of women who have made an impact in agriculture....

Celebrating Farmworker Awareness Week Through Inspirational Companies and Programs

During Farmworker Awareness Week, we are highlighting companies and programs that effectively invest in and engage with workers in unique ways....

EFI Streamlines Certification Program to Prepare for Growth

Building on a decade of experience certifying produce farming operations and incorporating valuable input from growers, suppliers, retailers, auditors and other key partners, EFI is evolving its certification program. EFI is responding by streamlining its training and auditing processes. Farming...

EFI Awarded $1.2M Walmart Foundation Grant

EFI receives a fourth grant from the Walmart Foundation. This grant supports work on ECIP and will help accelerate industry adoption of ECIP and improve the ECIP LAB platform....

Empowering Fresh Produce Operations with EFI’s Sustainability 101

EFI's popular Sustainability 101 Course is being offered in Spring 2025. Register before the early bird deadline of March 11 for substantial savings!...

EFI Certification Recognized as a Benchmarked Program with ECIP

Growers certified through EFI with the Ethical Charter Addendum earn a gold star - the highest engagement star - and free access to the ECIP Grower LAB platform for as long as their certification remains valid. This incentivizes participation in...

EFI Releases Toolkit to Help Industry Prepare for Farmworker Awareness Week

Farmworker Awareness Week, from March 25 to 31, is an opportunity to honor the invaluable contributions of farmworkers to the food supply chain and to raise awareness about the challenges they face. EFI’s toolkit provides companies, organizations and individuals with...

Tip of the Iceberg Podcast – Episode 23: Recognizing the Importance of Farmworkers

Brianna Shales, Marketing Director at Stemilt Growers, joins LeAnne Ruzzamenti, Director of Marketing at Equitable Food Initiative (EFI), to discuss a topic close to the heart of the fresh produce industry: the essential contributions of farmworkers....

Equitable Food Initiative Expands 2025 Online Learning Opportunities to Support Workforce Development and Sustainability

MEDIA RELEASE Contact: LeAnne R. Ruzzamenti, (202) 524-0540, gro.doofelbatiuqe@aidem WASHINGTON, Jan. 24, 2025 – Equitable Food Initiative, the workforce development and certification organization that partners with growers, farmworkers, retailers and consumer groups, is proud to announce the return and expansion...