YERINGTON, NV - Peri & Sons Farms has announced that its domestic onion farming operation is the first in the U.S. to achieve the SCS Global Services’ Sustainably Grown certification.
"Undergoing this level of commitment to sustainability forced us to scrutinize and evaluate every aspect of both operations―from office to fields to packing sheds,” Pamela Peri, Executive Vice President at Peri & Sons Farms, commented on the years of hard work to attain this achievement. “We firmly believe that the overall benefits to our employees, our community and our customers will be well worth the investment in the long run."
According to a press release, not only is this a milestone achievement in sustainable practices, but it also extends to its entire USDA Organic certified vegetable farming operation, Nevada Fresh Pak, where it grows and ships certified leafy greens and a diverse array of vegetables.
According to the release, the greens are shipped under well-known prepackaged salad brands as well as Peri & Sons Farms' own "Nevada Fresh Pak" label as part of its Locally Grown Organics program.
"We are thrilled that the years of hard work and dedication have brought us to this point. Achieving SCS Global Services' Sustainably Grown certification―one of the most rigorous, voluntary agricultural certifications offered―is just the beginning,” Sara Brinkley, Director of Food Safety and Organic Certification, said. “We will continue to demonstrate our commitment to upholding the highest levels of social and environmental responsibility, worker protection, and product integrity in the years ahead."
This certification acknowledges that Peri & Sons’ operations meet some of the world's highest environmental, social, and economic criteria, which it said required not only a stringent third-party audit, but also an unwavering, company-wide commitment to the mission it represents.
"We congratulate Peri & Sons Farms for this significant accomplishment. Achieving the Sustainably Grown certification is by no means an easy task,” SCS' Founder and CEO, Dr. Stanley Rhodes, said in the release. “This standard is based on comprehensive, science-based criteria aimed at minimizing environmental impacts and providing a safe and healthy work environment. By achieving certification, Peri & Sons Farms demonstrates that it has the processes and management systems in place to grow its products in a sustainable manner."
For the company, the acknowledgment of growing and operating in an environmentally sustainable manner is something three generations in the making, and will continue to be a top priority.
"As a company we are all about being proactive and transparent,” Teri Gibson, Director of Marketing and Customer Relations at Peri & Sons, said, calling this another good chapter in a great company story. “It's just part of our company culture to blaze trails rather than wait for industry mandates. We think that sustainability is becoming an important differentiator in the marketplace and we believe it adds significant value to our brand."
Keeping in mind that practicing agriculture sustainably is about people, planet and profitability, Peri & Sons Farms and Nevada Fresh Pak said it plans to remain fully committed to and exceeding produce-industry.
