WASHINGTON, DC - Equitable Food Initiative, the workforce development and certification organization that partners with growers, farmworkers, retailers, and consumer groups, celebrated a groundbreaking year marked by transformative advancements in ethical labor practices, collaboration, and workforce development across the produce supply chain.

A key highlight from the year is the rapid growth of the Ethical Charter Implementation Program (ECIP). Administered by EFI, the program launched in November 2023 and gained significant momentum in 2024. More than 260 suppliers and 1,200 growers have joined the ECIP LAB platform to date, fostering collaboration, accountability, and engagement across the supply chain. The growth underscores the industry’s commitment to advancing responsible labor practices and alignment within the industry to the Ethical Charter on Responsible Labor Practices.

“EFI has made significant progress in strengthening buyer, supplier, and grower participation in ECIP this year,” said Laura Himes, Vice President of Produce Sourcing for Walmart. “We are constantly learning and growing from these initiatives. By scaling best practices across the industry, we can create a more sustainable future for all stakeholders. We’re thrilled to be a part of this important work providing labor tools and training at scale.”

The forward-looking vision for ECIP in 2025 will continue to drive innovation in workforce development and labor practices, a press release stated. Plans include the introduction of optional worker surveys to give employees the chance to assess the impact of labor management systems, as well as a new engagement tool for farm labor contractors to ensure that all employers and workers in the supply chain understand the principles of the Ethical Charter.

To maximize the integrity and impact of growers and suppliers in ECIP, EFI will expand educational initiatives in the coming year to provide information and tools needed to maximize engagement.

“Reaching these milestones is more than a celebration of progress so far; it’s a call to action for the future,” said Peter O’Driscoll, EFI Executive Director. “The Ethical Charter Implementation Program represents the next chapter in EFI’s mission to build a more ethical, sustainable, and worker-centered food system.”

Known for its foundational skills-based training at the core of its certification program, EFI brought training and educational opportunities to the full industry for the first time in 2024 through a suite of learning products, from free webinars to one-hour seminars and intensive customized courses. More than 500 attendees furthered their understanding of core social responsibility concepts aligned with the Ethical Charter.

For more from the press release, click here. And stick with ANUK for more updates.

NEWPORT BEACH, CA - Fresh Solutions Network, LLC® (FSN) announced today that Side Delights® Amazables! won the Joe Nucci Award for Product Innovation in the eighth annual Produce Business Innovation Award in December, which focuses on Product, Packaging and Process.

According to Produce Business, “From microwavable potatoes to sustainable packaging, the eighth annual Produce Business Innovation Award winners brought their best to the table and store shelves.” The judging took place in Boca Raton, FL, conducted by editors and staff of Produce Business, and the awards were presented at the Thought Leaders Keynote Breakfast during the annual New York Produce Show and Conference on December 11 at the Javits Center in New York.

FSN’s winning product, Side Delights® Amazables!, are gluten-free microwavable potatoes available with two sauces created to complement the taste of a Russet potato and leverage top foodservice flavors, a press release stated.

“No company had ever developed a microwavable potato that tasted like an oven-baked potato, but with our Krisp film technology, which shrinks around the potato, these Amazables get crisp on the outside and cook fluffy on the inside. The result is an oven-baked-like potato in 6 minutes,” the article in Produce Business stated, adding, “Most important is the convenience of the product—perfect for vending machines on school campuses, hospitals, and company break rooms—a single potato that can easily be microwaved.”

"We developed Amazables! in response to the consumer demand for convenience, quality, and sustainability,” noted Kathleen Triou, President and CEO of Fresh Solutions Network. “We are honored to be the 2024 Joe Nucci Innovations Award winner, which showcases fresh produce options that stand out with health and sustainability in mind.”

Side Delights® offers a variety of choices of nutritious, economical products, including bagged and bulk potatoes, potato kits, convenience potatoes, petite potatoes, fresh-cut potatoes, and organic potatoes.

Keep reading ANUK for more industry updates.

SUNBURY, PA - Weis Markets closed out 2024 by donating $773,000 to 18 food banks and pantries as part of the Company’s 17^th annual Fight Hunger program. The donation includes customer contributions made at checkout in Weis stores throughout the year and a substantial corporate donation.

“Each year, we’re amazed by the incredible support our customers and associates show for our Fight Hunger campaign,” said Bob Gleeson, Weis Markets Senior Vice President of Merchandising and Marketing. “Helping local food banks and pantries is especially crucial during this season when the need for food rises. We deeply appreciate our Weis team and shoppers for coming together to make a difference.”

As part of the campaign, Weis Markets presented significant donations to several of its largest partner food banks within its seven-state market area.

These contributions include $210,000 to the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank and $160,000 to the Maryland Food Bank, a press release noted.

“To say we are fortunate to partner with Weis Markets on several initiatives to ensure our neighbors have food on their table is an understatement,” said Central Pennsylvania Food Bank CEO, Joe Arthur. “Whether it’s been through donating their time, funds, or food, Weis Markets has played a pivotal role in helping the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank carry out its mission of fighting hunger, improving lives, and strengthening communities. And for that, we are extremely grateful.”

"Food insecurity remains a persistent barrier to thriving for many Maryland families—in fact, 1 in 3 Marylanders today faces hunger," said Carmen Del Guercio, President and CEO of the Maryland Food Bank. "We are grateful to our supporters, like Weis Markets, who understand the importance of increasing access to nutritious food for our neighbors in need."

Additional recipients of Fight Hunger donations include:

• The Second Harvest Food Bank of the Lehigh Valley and Northeast PA
• Helping Harvest (Reading, PA)
• The Commission on Economic Opportunity/The Weinberg Northeast Regional Food Bank (Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, PA)
• Philabundance (Montgomery and Bucks counties, PA)
• Community Hunger Outreach Warehouse (CHOW)/Broome County Council of Churches
• Food Bank of the Southern Tier (Elmira, NY)
• Community Food Bank of New Jersey
• Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank (VA)
• Food Bank of Delaware
• Mountaineer Food Bank (West Virginia)

AndNowUKnow will deliver updates across retail, so stay tuned.