Stemilt: Cultivating Generations of Trust
EFI & Stemilt Growers Partner Through the Responsibly Grown, Farmworker Assured Certification Program
Since the two organizations first realized the alignment of their missions in 2016, Stemilt has implemented EFI’s training, certification and work process redesign models to integrate worker engagement as a core business strategy. The result has been a safer, more efficient and highly motivated workforce that is redefining what agricultural excellence looks like in practice.
We’ve not only seen a 15% reduction in workplace injuries, but have also experienced a significant lift in efficiency, with improved measures in pounds of fruit packed per hour, labor cost per acre and rejection rate. These indicators are all the intended consequences from our commitment to engaging people in the work and focusing on how to get better.
West Mathison
President at Stemilt Growers
World Famous Fruit from World Famous People
Stemilt is a fifth-generation, family-owned and operated fruit company that has always prioritized taking care of people and the planet in its mission to cultivate people and delight consumers. Stemilt was the first company in Washington state to secure full EFI certification across every single company-owned orchard, packing facility and warehouse location, setting a new benchmark for ethical production.
“Through EFI we have embraced a deep culture of continuous improvement. As the season comes to a close, I am focused on how we can do it better next year, and during the season, I am focused on listening to employees to find ways to improve and get better at everything we do.”
Maggie Torres
Manager of Talent Management
Stemilt By The Numbers
“Effective social responsibility efforts require a continuous improvement journey, and it’s one that Stemilt has been on since our founding in 1964. We are further along in that journey in a way that I never would have even thought possible.“
West Mathison
President at Stemilt Growers
Key Workforce Impact Metrics
Year-round employees stay an average of 9.3 years.
Stemilt welcomes 1,600 H-2A workers each year with a 96% return rate.
Workplace injuries are down 15% from 2023 to 2024.
Stemilt boosted productivity per employee by 16% since 2021.
“We feel our product is world famous, but to get all the way from the farms to the consumers, it takes world-famous people. We feel like with our responsible commitment to them (our employers), it sets us apart from any of our competitors.”
Steve Edwards
Production Manager at Stemilt
A Fresh Perspective on Health and Safety
Access to Water
The Stemilt EFI Worker-Manager Collaboration Team worked on logistics and training to bring more water coolers into the fields and ensure they are properly cleaned and stored.Traffic Safety
The Teams created an initiative to improve transportation safety and helped create dedicated lanes in parking lots as well as crosswalks, speed limit signs and reflective forklift lanes in facilities.Engagement Survey
Stemilt’s annual Engagement Survey is a confidential tool designed to help us understand the experiences, needs, and perspectives of our team members across all areas of the company. The survey measures several key dimensions of engagement, including communication, leadership, teamwork, workplace culture, job satisfaction and the resources employees need to be successful.Improvement in the Packhouse
Some of the improvements have included increased high-quality fans for seasonal temperature control, on-the-job exercises to prevent repetitive motion injuries, more easily accessible scaffolding, and platforms in the presort area to prevent line workers from overreaching.Identifying Internal Trends
With the continued support of the EFI worker-manager collaborative team Stemilt worked on identifying internal safety issues and implementing preventative measures.On-Site Health Clinic & Pharmacy
Free on-site health clinic and pharmacy provides accessible care to all Stemilters and their families, helping workers stay healthy while saving time and money on everyday medical needs.
Brianna Shales
Brianna Shales, Director of Marketing at Stemilt
Creating Happy and Engaged Workers
Stemilt Growers stands out among farming operations for its consistent and high rate of compliance with EFI’s rigorous standards during audits over the past 5 years. Learn how they are doing it:
Commitment & Differentiation
For Stemilt, the commitment to social responsibility and continuous improvement goes above and beyond.
- Meeting over 300 of EFI’s rigorous standards in all packing facilities and fields in WA state to establish trust and commitment with stakeholders.
- Bringing education and opportunity into the workplace helps Stemilters grow their skills, shape their own futures, and thrive both on the job and at home.
- Committed to responsible recruitment, working with partners like Cierto on the ground to ensure workers are treated fairly and properly.
Continuous Improvement & Employee Voice
The EFI trained worker-manager collaborative team is key to Stemilt’s journey of continuous improvement.
- The Worker-Manager Collaboration (WMC)Team serves as a proactive source of new ideas for social responsibility initiatives.
- Consistently focusing on small, continuous improvements ultimately leads to a significant, large-scale positive impact.
- Creating an environment where employees feel free to approach the WMC team with concerns or suggestions without fear.
Workplace Improvements
Becoming a leader in responsible agriculture isn’t just about a checklist; it’s about a continuous journey of learning, adapting and innovating.
- Adding more safety signs in critical areas like packing lines, especially near forklift traffic.
- Repainting parking lot lines so workers can easily identify designated parking spaces upon arrival.
- Worked on logistics and workers’ training to bring more water coolers into the fields and ensure they are properly cleaned and stored.
- Installing new lights and fans along the packing lines to provide better visibility and temperature for workers.
Culture and Engagement
The WMC Team is key to Stemilt’s journey of continuous improvement.
- Front-line supervisors consistently work to improve engagement and performance.
- Performance is measured by engagement surveys, safety and key benchmarks for production.
- Engagement surveys of all employees are completed annually in collaboration with a third-party.
Stories from the Field
