CALABASAS, CA & TUCSON, AZ - Innovation is ever at the forefront of our industry’s vision, and new solutions come to light seemingly every day. Two industry organizations have launched their latest solution aimed at helping growers measure a wide range of on-farm data to be used for sustainability and ESG reporting. Stewardship Index for Specialty Crops (SISC) teamed up with CropTrak® to release the new Stewardship Calculator 2.0.
“Following a robust pilot program with leading brands and growers, we are now offering this online calculator of the SISC metrics to help standardize ways to create and maintain measurement across tier one supply chains. The updated tool enables consistent communication of aggregated data—the key ingredient users said would help improve transparency and adoption of more sustainable practices,” said Alison Edwards, Director at SISC.
Leveraging CropTrak’s cloud technology platform, the tool is used to track broad regenerative ag practices including resource and nutrient management; on-farm energy/GHG; as well as biodiversity, food waste, and water use efficiency.
The solution was developed in collaboration with retailers and suppliers such as Walmart and Del Monte Foods and helps inform sustainability reporting for brands and their suppliers, as well as improve production plans and supply chain management practices.
“We were pleased to support the development of the new Stewardship Calculator for fruits, nuts, and vegetables. Ensuring fresh food production meets the needs of consumers while protecting our planet is central to Walmart’s shared value, whole-system approach,” said Anabella de Freeman, Senior Manager Sustainability Strategic Initiatives Produce at Walmart. “We are pleased the new calculator is now available to support our tier one suppliers and growers in their sustainability journey and to track progress against our climate and regenerative agriculture commitments.”
Available free to growers, large retail brands are now using the calculator to create a single reporting model linked to SISC’s industry-recognized key performance metrics, according to a press release. The tool enables users to easily upload data that is automatically translated into standardized reporting metrics and reports for quick, easy communication.
“Our consumers want to know even more about where their food comes from and what sustainable practices are used on the journey from the farm to their table,” said Molly Laverty, Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Senior Manager at Del Monte Foods. “The enhanced visibility and metrics from the new Stewardship Calculator helps provide opportunities for our growers and customers to share their data and insights, leading to greater transparency and sustainable impact metrics to nourish Earth’s goodness for generations to come.”
Western Growers will reportedly be subsidizing costs for all of its members to use this new SISC calculator for its initial two-year roll out.
For more of the latest solutions introduced in the produce industry, you know where to find us.
