WASHINGTON - Certification and auditing programs have grown in abundance to ensure our fresh produce is safe and meets sustainability standards. Companies like Equitable Food Initiative (EFI) are on a mission to help growers and suppliers meet those standards, and they’re doing so in a big way. Fresh produce industry stakeholders have come together to design the Ethical Charter Implementation Program (ECIP). The program recognizes and strengthens engagement around labor practices in the fresh produce industry without the burden of additional audits.
“ECIP is a capacity-building tool rather than a compliance program,” commented Peter O’Driscoll, Executive Director at EFI. “The interactive system creates a safe space for growers and suppliers to review their current labor management systems, access information on best practices, and understand how they compare to the rest of the industry.”
As noted in the release, the goals of the program include:
- Creating alignment with the principles of the Ethical Charter on Responsible Labor Practices
- Enabling operations that already align to the Ethical Charter to demonstrate their leadership
- Providing capacity-building tools for continued engagement and improvement
Launched with initial funding from the Walmart Foundation, the program is led by EFI and The Sustainability Consortium and overseen by an advisory group of leading buyers, suppliers, and key stakeholders, including representatives from:
- AgSocio
- Bonduelle Fresh Americas
- Costco
- Kroger
- McDonald’s USA
- Naturipe
- Sam’s Club
- Target
- Tanimura & Antle
- Taylor Farms
- Walmart
“When the Ethical Charter was launched in 2018, it reinforced the principle that all workers in fresh produce supply chains should be treated with dignity and respect. The Walmart Foundation is pleased to support this next phase of work around development of the Ethical Charter Implementation Program (ECIP) that helps strengthen the industry and protections for all those who work in and are dependent on it,” said Gavin Bailey, Senior Manager, Walmart.org. “I’m encouraged by the collaboration among industry peers on leading this effort and encourage others to join our efforts.”
ECIP offers an assessment tool, resources, and information that growers and suppliers can use to evaluate and strengthen their labor management systems. Beginning this November, participating buyers will invite their suppliers into ECIP, and suppliers will ask their growers to assess labor practices and management systems through an interactive online tool.
“The Ethical Charter and this implementation program reflect the power of industry collaboration to advance meaningful changes for people and our planet,” said Denise Osterhues, Senior Director of Sustainability and Social Impact for Kroger. “We’re pleased to help scale this capacity-building work that prioritizes meeting growers where they are in their journey and offering practical resources and guidance to help enhance labor practices.”
Use of the online tool, called ECIP LAB, requires an annual subscription fee from buyers, suppliers, and growers and provides guidance, resources and best practices as the operation assesses more than 50 different work areas, systems, and policies.
“EFI is grateful to the Walmart Foundation for providing the initial funding to bring this project together, and to the advisory group members for their commitment to the development of a scalable approach to sustaining industry alignment with the Ethical Charter,” O’Driscoll added.
More information about the program can be found through its release and here.
Stay with ANUK as we continue to report on our industry’s developments.
Equitable Food Initiative Ethical Charter Implementation Program Walmart.org
