Just nine months after its launch, Greener Fields Together, the foodservice industry’s first comprehensive, national farm-to-fork sustainability program created by the PRO*ACT produce supply-chain management company, has documented sustainability improvements made by four of its national farm partners.
Greener Fields Together was launched Oct. 2, 2012, with two primary goals: to create and commit to continuous sustainability improvements at each touch point in the produce supply chain, and to ensure the availability and safety of local produce for operators in all segments.
Detailed case studies compiled by independent verification service SureHarvest, confirm that the Greener Fields Together goal of collaborating to effect steady, measurable improvements in sustainability through all levels of the produce supply chain is being realized. The case studies, evaluate and verify strides made by Sunkist Growers, Inc., NewStar Fresh Foods, Taylor Farms California, Inc., and Naturipe.
Case studies include:
• Sunkist Growers, Inc., in 2012 was awarded Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (SFI) certification for its efforts to reduce the environmental impact of packaging produced at its Ontario, Calif., manufacturing plant. By sourcing 100% SFI-certified materials for the production of its cartons, Sunkist supports forests managed to promote biodiversity and sustainable harvesting methods. Sunkist also uses water-based ink and corn-based adhesives to produce its cartons, which are uncoated, fully recyclable and made from 65% recycled content.
• NewStar Fresh Foods has implemented a water-conservation program at its Mexicali, Mexico, operations. Some 600 of its 2,000 acres there have been converted to drip irrigation and other water-saving techniques have been implemented, as well. NewStar expects to use 50% less water per carton of product harvested on the drip-irrigated acres.
• Taylor Farms California, Inc., has made significant upgrades to its refrigeration and lighting systems at their processing facility in Salinas, Calif. Taylor Farms realized annual energy savings of 1.74 million kWh, enough to power 151 U.S. households per year. In total a 10% reduction in total energy consumption has since been realized and improvements are ongoing.
• Naturipe applies Integrated Pest Management (IPM) to control Lygus bug, a major pest for California strawberries. IPM is an effective and environmentally sound approach to pest management that allows the natural ecosystem to keep Lygus bugs in check by enhancing the natural habitat and promoting beneficial plants around the farm. The program reduces pest populations and crop damage, results in fewer resistance problems, less overall pesticide use and more high-quality fruit.
