WASHINGTON, DC - Equitable Food Initiative, the capacity-building and certification organization that partners with growers, farmworkers, and retailers, announced that Windset Farms® is celebrating its 10th anniversary as an EFI-certified operation. Marking this milestone recognizes all the changes and accomplishments that have strengthened the workforce, enhanced operational efficiency, and elevated its reputation for responsible agriculture.

Since first achieving certification in 2015, Windset Farms has demonstrated consistent leadership in labor practices, food safety, and pest management. With significant data meticulously collected by Windset Farms’ teams and EFI audits, the greenhouse grower can prove that EFI’s worker-manager collaboration model has been integrated into every part of the operations, creating lasting cultural change and boosting operational excellence.

The results speak for themselves:

• $5.5 million in bonuses distributed to farmworkers since 2017
• 98% seasonal workers come back each year
• 70-plus workers trained in communication, conflict resolution, and problem-solving through the EFI program
• Safety upgrades, including 10 certified first aiders, improved equipment training, and multilingual safety materials and training in English, Spanish, and Punjabi
• Quality-of-life improvements, such as better drinking water access and responsive problem-solving through the worker-manager collaboration teams
• Streamlined qualification for the Certificate of Recognition, a voluntary program audited and approved by WorkSafeBC to ensure excellent health and safety standards.

“Social responsibility allows the workers in our greenhouse to have ownership, to be part of the team,” said Jeff Madu, Sr. VP of Operations at Windset Farms, in the recent release. “EFI allows them to have a voice back to management. If there’s an issue or something they don’t like in their workplace, they can access the worker-manager collaborative teams to make sure their voice is heard.”

“Over the past decade, Windset Farms has consistently stood at the top of the class for meeting our rigorous standards,” said LeAnne Ruzzamenti, director of marketing and communications for EFI. “Their high rate of compliance during audits is truly a testament to their commitment to excellence, and they set a high bar for all EFI-certified farms.”

Windset Farms has also leveraged EFI to increase transparency and safety by encouraging full incident reporting, including minor issues. This shift has created a safer workplace, reduced worker injuries, led to fewer missed workdays, lowered turnover, and improved morale. By sharing best practices across multiple sites, the company has accelerated the adoption of proven solutions even before new sites undergo certification.

For Operations Manager Tony Pacheco, who is responsible for the health and safety of more than 300 workers at Windset Farms’ Delta greenhouse, EFI’s training has been a game changer. It transformed a traditional safety committee into a worker-manager collaboration team, which includes workers from across all departments of the organization and allows workers and managers to dissect issues together, create solutions, and track results.

One project that stands out was about improving access to drinking water in the greenhouse. Workers raised the issue through the worker-manager collaboration team, noting they had to leave the greenhouse to hydrate. The team worked through every challenge, from sourcing the fountains to running electricity, water lines, and drainage, and placing them where they wouldn’t interfere with existing equipment and work processes. Workers were informed of the budget, timeline, and process at every step so that they knew their request was being acted on, which turned a simple idea into a shared success.

“These projects sound so simple in nature, but they are never easy to implement,” Pacheco said. “The key is that EFI’s approach involves everyone in the process. People know why it’s taking time, and they see their ideas turn into reality.”

Windset Farms’ commitment to EFI goes beyond its own operations; it extends to industrywide sustainability leadership. Starting in 2021, Windset Farms partnered with EFI and sustainability expert Measure to Improve on the Produce & Reduce Program, a pilot funded by the California Workforce Development Board’s High Road Training Partnerships initiative.

At Windset Farms and two other pilot farming operations, 50 Green Team members were trained, and more than 2,500 indirect trainees were reached through the program, empowering them to identify waste reduction opportunities, conduct physical waste audits, and implement custom plans. At Windset Farms, specifically, these efforts resulted in:

• Increasing the amount of recycled corrugated cardboard from 256 tons to 314 tons in one year.
• Diverting more than 1,300 pounds of recyclable materials from the landfill.
• Ensuring organic waste bins were filled to capacity to reduce the number of truck trips to the composting site.
• Reduced greenhouse gas emissions by over 17 metric tons of CO₂e.
• Generated financial savings through recycling and waste reduction initiatives.

“Every single company should get started on these types of environmentally focused initiatives,” Madu said after the waste reduction pilot program. “There are financial savings along with positive environmental impacts – and our teams are proud to be part of the solution.”

Operating in Delta, British Columbia, and Santa Maria, California, Windset Farms has grown into one of North America’s largest sustainable produce suppliers, providing long English cucumbers, mini cucumbers, European cucumbers, mini peppers, Roma tomatoes, round tomatoes, small tomatoes, vine tomatoes, peppers, and cherry tomatoes to consumers year-round.

“This is the first company I’ve worked for that truly listens to and takes care of its employees,” said Socorro Mendoza, packhouse worker at Windset Farms. “Our voices matter here, and that makes all the difference.”

With consistently high EFI audit scores for an entire decade, Windset Farms stands as a model for how responsible agriculture benefits workers, businesses, communities, and the planet. Explore Windset Farms’ 10-year EFI journey, including worker stories, project photos, and sustainability highlights, at equitablefood.org/windset.

REIDSVILLE, GA - At the Southeast Produce Council’s (SEPC) upcoming Southern Innovations show, Shuman Farms will spotlight its premium sweet onions from Peru in a tailgating-themed booth designed to help retailers plan high-impact fall promotions. Here to discuss is John Shuman, President and Chief Executive Officer.

“We will be at booth #300 and we’re bringing a full tailgating experience: game-day recipe inspiration featuring our premium sweet onions from Peru. We’ll also introduce our 2025 NIL athletes—University of Georgia linebacker CJ Allen and Georgia Southern University wide receiver Josh Dallas—and share how these partnerships translate into authentic, family-friendly content that reaches the next generation of shoppers,” John told me.

Shuman Farms’ goals for the show are to align fourth-quarter programs, share shopper insights from Gen Z and young families, and co-create turnkey game-day merchandising that drives department and total-store sales. The grower’s sales, marketing, and operations teams will all be in attendance, plus team members from Healthy Family Project discussing their holiday Carry the Cause initiative.

John explained that Shuman will start shipping its premium sweet onions from Peru in the next few weeks and will continue through February. The supplier is seeing normal production with good quality, as well as a good supply of organics with no expected gaps.

“Our Peruvian sweet onion program delivers the mild, sweet flavor shoppers love, keeping premium sweet onions on shelves year-round and maintaining category momentum outside the Vidalia® window,” John noted. “Our program supports Southeast U.S. economic activity via the Port of Savannah, reinforcing reliable supply and regional jobs while meeting year-round shopper demand.”

Shuman Farms’ Peruvian sweet onions are available in 2, 3, and 5 lb consumer bags as well as bulk. Seasonally, the grower also offers its Pink Sweet Onion bag in October for Breast Cancer Awareness, and Feeding America bags in November and December to raise awareness about hunger. For merchandising, Shuman provides both full-sized primary display bins and secondary display bins to make in-store execution simple and effective.

“Sweet onions, and produce overall, support flavor-first, better-for-you cooking—a natural fit for Food as Medicine strategies. The versatility and mild sweetness of premium Peruvian sweets make it easy for families to add more produce across everyday meals and game-day spreads,” John concluded.

For more on this year’s Southern Innovations showcases, keep clicking back to ANUK.

SALINAS, CA - Measure to Improve (MTI), a leading sustainability consulting firm for the fresh produce industry, announced the launch of its Quick Start Compliance Solution, a streamlined program designed to help growers, shippers, and processors respond to THESIS and Project Gigaton™ reporting deadlines.

The THESIS Survey reporting window opens September 8, 2025, and is due November 7, 2025. Walmart’s Project Gigaton, People, and Private Brand Packaging Surveys open on September 15, 2025, and are due by November 14, 2025. These overlapping deadlines place significant pressure on suppliers to submit accurate, credible data on time. For many companies, the annual reporting cycle feels rushed, confusing, and overwhelming. MTI’s Quick Start Compliance Solution changes that.

“Our Quick Start approach is about meeting companies where they are,” said Nikki Cossio, Founder & CEO of Measure to Improve, in the recent release. “We simplify the process, leverage the data you already have, and guide your team step-by-step so you can submit on time, with confidence, and without the stress.”

Why Quick Start Works

Unlike one-size-fits-all compliance tools, MTI’s Quick Start Compliance Solution provides deadline-driven, hands-on support while laying the groundwork for more streamlined reporting and stronger results in future reporting cycles.

With Quick Start, companies gain:

• Credible, on-time submissions for THESIS and Project Gigaton
• Streamlined guidance for navigating portals, prioritizing questions, and interpreting requirements
• Hands-on support through help desk sessions and real-time portal entry assistance
• Forward-looking recommendations to strengthen results in 2026 and beyond

Who Should Use Quick Start

The Quick Start Compliance Solution is designed for companies that are:

• New to sustainability reporting or introducing new staff
• Unsure how to answer THESIS or Project Gigaton questions
• Facing tight deadlines and want to avoid last-minute scrambles or missed opportunities

Schedule a Complimentary Consultation

MTI is offering complimentary introductory meetings now through September 15 to walk companies through the Quick Start Compliance Solution and help determine if this service is the right fit. Schedule a consultation today to learn more, get started, and stay ahead of deadlines.

“Compliance is more than just checking a box,” added Cossio. “It’s an opportunity to build trust with buyers, stand out in a competitive market, and use your data to tell a compelling sustainability story.”

Connect with MTI at SEPC Southern Innovations

MTI will be attending the Southeast Produce Council Southern Innovations on September 10–13, 2025. Visit us at booth #234 to learn more about the Quick Start Compliance Solution and our other sustainability solutions.

GONZALES, CA - Ringing true to its name, the 2025 Southern Innovations event is bringing fresh innovation into the spotlight as companies gear up for this September’s showcase in Charlotte, North Carolina. As Marketing Director, Nicole Minnich-Zapata, tells me ahead of the show, Misionero is “bringing the crunch” to the show floor this year.

“This year, we’re showcasing our Crispy Harvest Blends, a fresh, field-grown innovation redefining what it means to serve greens,” Nicole shares. “Available in green or red-and-green formats, these blends are naturally sweet, satisfyingly crunchy, and visually stunning. They deliver premium performance while staying true to our roots in organic, field-grown excellence.”

Crispy Harvest Blends are organically field-grown, offering a highly coveted lofty texture, vibrant color, and crave-worthy crunch. They’re also 100 percent usable, washed, and ready-to-eat—delivering efficiency for foodservice and convenience for retail.

“The ‘crispy craze’ is real—shoppers and diners want hearty greens that hold up, taste fresh, and look beautiful. While greenhouse greens have led the trend, Misionero’s organic, field-grown Crispy Harvest Blends make it possible to deliver that same elevated eating experience in a more accessible and sustainable way,” Nicole adds. “For retailers and operators, that means you can meet consumer demand for premium-quality greens with a solution that balances organic integrity, field-grown flavor, and cost efficiency. With Crispy Harvest, you get field-grown authenticity and unbeatable value.”

As Nicole emphasizes, Crispy Harvest isn’t just another salad blend. It’s the next generation of organic, field-grown greens.

“Whether you’re plating for a dinner rush or filling a produce aisle, it’s all crunch, no waste, and ready when you are. With Crispy Harvest, you don’t have to choose between organic quality and field-grown affordability—you get both in every bite,” she explains. “Southern Innovations is a great platform to highlight how organic, field-grown solutions like Crispy Harvest can bring real impact to retail shelves and menus.”

Misionero’s Crispy Harvest Blends will be displayed at booth #516 during the show, so don’t forget to stop by! For more industry updates in the lead-up to Southern Innovations, you know where to click.

BREWSTER, WA - In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, SugarBee® apple is excited to share Recetario Dulce inspiración: recetas con la irresistible manzana SugarBee® (Recipes with the Irresistible SugarBee® Apple) – a recipe book that celebrates the tastes and authentic flavors of Hispanic Heritage, while showcasing one of nature’s more delicious gifts – the SugarBee® apple. This apple, with its flavor notes of honey, caramel, and molasses pairs authentically with traditional Hispanic flavors in sweet pastries to savory main dishes. Each recipe reflects the creativity and warmth of Latin American kitchens.

A Taste of the Recipes Inside

• Tarta Rústica (Rustic Pie) – A simple, homemade, and delicious pie. Ideal for afternoons with coffee or as a special dessert.
• Costillas glaseadas con Manzana (Glazed Ribs with Apple) – Juicy pork ribs glazed with a sweet-savory blend of SugarBee® apple, Dijon mustard, honey, and apple cider vinegar.
• Smoothie Refrescante (Refreshing Smoothie) – A bright, revitalizing drink with SugarBee® apple, fresh orange juice, and a touch of honey.
• Mermalada casera (Homemade Jam) – A natural, comforting spread of SugarBee® apples, sugar, lemon, and a hint of cinnamon.
• Hojaldres dorados (Golden Puff Pastries) – Light, airy pastries filled with diced SugarBee® apples, brown sugar, and warm spices.

Honoring Hispanic Culture and People

Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to celebrate the richness, diversity, and traditions of Hispanic and Latino communities, a press release stated. This recipe book not only highlights the versatility of the SugarBee® apple but also honors the creativity and culinary passion deeply rooted in Hispanic culture. Beyond the recipes, there is so much gratitude for those who have dedicated their lives to being a part of cultivating world-class fruit. Without them, it would not all be possible.

Sweet Inspiration: Recipes with the irresistible SugarBee® Apple will be available for free digital download (Spanish/English) throughout Hispanic Heritage Month, encouraging home cooks everywhere to discover new ways to celebrate with flavor.

“Los recuerdos más queridos se crean cuando estamos reunidos alrededor de una mesa. Así que toma una manzana SugarBee® y crea algunos recuerdos. (The fondest memories are made when gathered around a table. So grab a SugarBee® apple, and make some memories.)”