Top Retailers Honor Leading Suppliers at Ethical Charter Implementation Program Event; Peter O’Driscoll Shares
WASHINGTON, DC – Do you know which suppliers are a part of the ECIP Leadership Circle? Equitable Food Initiative recently celebrated the Ethical Charter Implementation Program’s (ECIP) Leadership Circle at an event held on the first night of the Global Produce & Floral Show. The celebration served as a platform to recognize 26 suppliers who have shown exceptional leadership in adopting ECIP and accelerating awareness of the importance of responsible labor practices in the produce industry.
Peter O’Driscoll, Executive Director, Equitable Food Initiative
“Esta celebración tiene como objetivo reconocer el compromiso creíble de estos proveedores líderes y el papel fundamental que desempeñan en la mejora continua de las prácticas laborales en la industria de productos agrícolas”, afirmó Peter O’Driscoll, director ejecutivo. “Al centrarse en las personas que están en el corazón de la producción (los trabajadores agrícolas), están promoviendo un futuro más equitativo, ético y sostenible para nuestra industria”.
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“This celebration is about recognizing the credible engagement of these leading suppliers and acknowledging the critical role they play in the continuous improvement of labor practices in the produce industry,” said Peter O’Driscoll, Executive Director. “By focusing on the people at the heart of production—the farmworkers—they are promoting a more equitable, ethical, and sustainable future for our industry.”
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The gathering brought together over 100 industry leaders, suppliers, and buyers to recognize produce suppliers named to the ECIP Leadership Circle. Among the attendees were representatives from Target, Sam’s Club, and Costco Wholesale. Special remarks were given by buyers from Costco and Sam’s Club, highlighting its support for ECIP.
A press release noted that the companies named to the Leadership Circle became 3- or 4-star suppliers in the ECIP LAB online platform by bringing their growers into the program and assessing the systems they have in place to support field-level labor practices.
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On November 4, merchants from Walmart, Sam’s Club, Costco, Kroger, Target, and McDonalds will gain access to suppliers’ ECIP engagement ratings through the LAB platform and can use that data in their own efforts to promote responsible labor practices throughout the supply chain.
Here is a breakdown of the ECIP Leadership Circle:
- AMFRESH North America
- Ayco Farms
- Bonduelle
- Bostock North America
- Bridges Organic Produce
- Church Brothers Farms
- Equifruit
- The Fruitist Company
- Gold Cup Fresh
- GoodFarms
- Homegrown Organic Farms
- McEntire Produce
- Misionero
- Naturipe Farms
- NatureSweet
- Pacific Produce
- POM Wonderful
- Peterson Farms Family of Companies
- Red Sun Farms™
- Stemilt
- Sun Belle
- Tanimura & Antle
- Taylor Farms
- West Pak Avocado
- William H. Kopke Jr.
- WINDSET FARMS®
Source: www.andnowuknow.com