WENATCHEE, WA - CMI Orchards announced the launch of CMI SOARS: Sustainable Orchards and Regenerative Solutions, a bold, impact-oriented program designed to advance sustainability and regenerative agriculture across the tree fruit industry.

“At CMI, sustainability isn’t an add-on, it’s at the core of how we grow, operate, and collaborate,” said Bob Mast, President of CMI Orchards, in the recent release. “CMI SOARS represents our commitment to measurable change, ensuring our orchards, partners, and communities can thrive for generations to come.”

The CMI SOARS program is built around measurable action. It includes a comprehensive greenhouse gas inventory and annual sustainability report, the development and implementation of regenerative products and solutions, and transparent storytelling to empower both retailers and consumers with authentic information about CMI’s environmental efforts. The program also emphasizes continuous innovation to address the evolving needs of the fresh produce industry.

In the months ahead, CMI will begin sharing the projects developed under SOARS, highlighting the practical ways regenerative practices are improving orchard health, boosting yields, and delivering nutrient-rich fruit to market, alongside an aggressive action plan with sustainable goals and emission-reduction targets.

For retail partners, SOARS creates direct business value while supporting global sustainability goals. By sourcing regeneratively grown fruit, retailers can strengthen their supply chains through verified carbon credit inset purchases, reduce emissions throughout distribution networks, and engage environmentally conscious consumers with a compelling narrative.

“Transparency is critical. We know ‘regenerative’ can mean many things to many people, which is why we’re committed to sharing real data and clear goals that reflect the scope and depth of the work underway,” said Rochelle Bohm, Vice President of Marketing at CMI Orchards. “By working together with our retail partners, we can align with their own sustainability goals while delivering a story that resonates with today’s shoppers. One of the most exciting things we’ll be sharing soon is results of our extensive nutrient testing comparing traditionally grown fruit to those produced in our regeneratively enriched orchards. We know that environmental health is a tougher sell compared to human health – and we’re confident we’ll be able to share some highly marketable developments in this space very soon.”

“With SOARS, we’re opening clear retail pathways for regeneratively grown products,” Mast added. “We’re not just growing fruit, we’re sharing the full story of how it’s grown, how it helps the planet, and why it matters. That’s where true change happens.”

To further support transparency and education, CMI Orchards has launched a dedicated landing page for the SOARS initiative. The site offers resources, updates, and insights into CMI’s regenerative projects and sustainability commitments.

Visit www.cmisoars.com to explore the program and learn more about how CMI is building a sustainable future rooted in regeneration.

UNITED STATES - Throughout 2025, progress has been made in replacing non-recyclable wax coatings with new materials that can be readily recycled, helping improve packaging sustainability for commodities that require moisture protection or ship on ice.

Think lots of fresh produce!

Alongside the American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA), the Fibre Box Association (FBA) has released a new repulpability standard for testing wax alternatives to ensure their acceptance in the recycling stream at the end of life.

“The repulpability and recyclability test procedures in the revised Voluntary Standard deliver results that are valid, reliable, and repeatable,” said President and Chief Executive Officer of the Fibre Box Association, Bob McIlvaine, in a press release earlier this year. “This Voluntary Standard ensures our industry can repulp that packaging and turn it into other products.”

This update, which was the result of a joint committee of AF&PA and FBA members, provides an industry-supported set of test protocols that evaluate whether products such as coated or treated cardboard packaging are repulpable and recyclable.

According to the associations, coated or treated cardboard packaging is a practical and cost-effective method for shipping products such as produce, meat, or seafood.

For more information, click here.

ANUK will continue to cover the latest across technology and manufacturing, so stay tuned!