EFI Celebrates a Decade of Progress in 2025
The nonprofit workforce development and certification organization says millions in worker bonuses, expanded trainings and new board members strengthened its impact across the fresh produce industry.
Equitable Food Initiative says it marked a year of significant progress in 2025, advancing responsible labor practices, strengthening industry collaboration and driving meaningful worker engagement throughout the fresh produce supply chain.
In 2025, EFI celebrated its 10th year as an independent nonprofit with program expansions and strengthened industry partnerships. Thanks to firm commitment from participating retailers, EFI says nearly $30 million has been generated in worker bonuses since the launch of its certification program, recognizing workers’ essential role in upholding EFI’s rigorous labor and integrated pest management standards. In welcoming diverse new suppliers this year, including Rainbow Valley Orchards, one of the smallest companies to achieve certification, EFI certified operations now span more than 300 locations across the Americas.
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This year, EFI and its partners also launched the Engagement 2.0 version of the Ethical Charter Implementation Program, further raising the bar on social responsibility across the industry, according to the organization. ECIP participation grew to more than 300 suppliers and 1,600 growers in 2025, supported by grants from the Walmart Foundation and Kroger’s Zero Hunger, Zero Waste Foundation that helped expand the program and its capacity-building tools and resources.
As a founding board member, Costco Wholesale continues to play a leadership role in expanding EFI’s impact and reach, serving as the largest contributor to the worker bonus on EFI-certified farms and as the first retailer to invite its entire fresh produce supplier network into ECIP, according to the organization.
“Costco’s commitment to our own employees extends back into the supply chain to the essential workers that provide us with fresh produce. That is why we have been strong supporters of both ECIP and EFI’s certification program,” says Bob Huskey, vice president and general merchandise manager of fresh produce for Costco’s U.S. business. “Treating workers well is not only the right thing to do, [but] it also results in higher quality and safer products for our members. Partnering with EFI and our suppliers to support skilled workers helps ensure a more ethical and transparent supply chain.”
EFI says it advanced its commitment to workforce development by training 220 additional workers in the foundational skills of communication, problem-solving and conflict resolution, bringing the total number of workers and supervisors who have received this multiday, intensive training to 3,158 since 2014. The organization also joined state agencies and industry partners across California to begin work on a statewide framework for the documentation, assessment and credentialing of agricultural skills, helping build pathways to long-term economic mobility for this essential and professional workforce.
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To further strengthen certification integrity, EFI updated its Responsibly Grown, Farmworker Assured program, improving efficiency while maintaining the rigorous standards trusted by buyers and growers.
“These refinements ensure that the program continues to meet the needs of a rapidly evolving industry, while preserving the credibility and rigor that stakeholders rely on,” says Peter O’Driscoll, EFI executive director. “It’s essential that our certification remains both practical for growers and meaningful for workers and consumers.”
EFI continued to amplify the voices and contributions of farmworkers throughout the year with targeted campaigns, including Farmworker Awareness Week, Hispanic Heritage Month and the organization’s second annual Farmworker of the Year campaign. From more than 50 nominations, five finalists were selected, and Rafael Teran Melchor of Stemilt Growers was named the 2025 Farmworker of the Year.
“These stories remind the entire industry, and consumers, that the people behind our food are leaders, innovators and essential contributors,” says LeAnne Ruzzamenti, director of marketing and communications for EFI. “Celebrating their impact is central to EFI’s mission.”
EFI also welcomed seven new members to its board of directors in 2025. They represent a wide range of roles across the food industry, from ethical sourcing and labor rights experts to educators, retailers and consumer health advocates. Their diverse professional backgrounds bring invaluable expertise and fresh perspectives to drive culture change and advance more equitable labor practices throughout the supply chain, according to the organization.
EFI says it enters 2026 with deep appreciation for the growers, workers, buyers and partners who continue to strengthen a more transparent, equitable and sustainable food system, and with a renewed commitment to advancing the prosperity of everyone who helps to secure the food supply chain.
Source: www.thepacker.com
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