BAKERSFIELD, CA – Grimmway Farms, the world’s largest producer and marketer of organic fruits and veggies grown in the USA, has released its first Environment, Social and Governance (ESG), Report. Grimmways Responsible Growth for A Healthier WorldSignals a CEO-led commitment year-over year to measure, quantify, share and analyze its ESG progress across all its multi-state operations.
The report shows Grimmways ESG achievements and actions over a period of 18 months (January 2020-June 2021). It compares the company’s impact to the Universal Standards of the Global Reporting Initiative. These areas include carbon reduction, water conservation and soil health, biodiversity and energy conservation, as well as waste reduction, employee health, diversity, and social equality.
Our role as farmers’ protectors and caretakers is at the heart of our business, stated Jeff Huckaby, Grimmway Farms CEO. This has been a key component of our growth for over 50 years. Grimmway was committed enterprise-wide sustainability efforts and diversity initiatives long before climate change or ESG became a common topic of conversation. We are making long-term strategic investments to reduce our carbon footprint, conserve water and soil resources, use new technologies and efficiencies throughout our operations and supply chains, and offer advanced training and career opportunities for our diverse workforce.
The following are some highlights from the reports:
- Leadership in Organics: Grimmways organics footprint covers more than 45,000 acres with 65 different crops. All of these crops are grown without synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, or preservatives, and all GMOs are excluded.
- Soil Health – In 2020 Grimmway used carrot top green waste to add 65 million pounds of organic carbon to the soil, and 86million pounds of compost and animal waste to add carbon to the soil.
- Clean Energy: Grimmway owns four solar arrays that generate enough electricity each year to power more than 1,100 California homes.
- Water Conservation: Grimmway cut its water usage by more than 7,000,000 gallons on its three largest California ranches in 2020. The San Joaquin Valley’s new large-scale water banking project is expected to recharge more than 20,000 acres of high flows and provide water for more than 6.5 billion people by 2028.
- Waste Management: More that 92 percent of Grimmways’ primary active packaging is made with recyclable material.
- Carbon Emissions. Grimmway has pledged that it will become a net zero carbon business by 2050 or earlier, in line to the Paris Agreement goals.
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Grimmway is committed towards inclusion, professional growth opportunities, anti-bias education, and inclusivity for all employees. The company appointed its first Chief People Officer in 2021 to promote and measure DEI initiatives throughout the enterprise.
Grimmway established a data-driven ESG reporting system in 2019. This was applicable to all its operations and geographies. The company has established an internal ESG Task Force to oversee company reporting activities and manage data capture from farm to table.
By committing to full reporting against approved GRI Standards in subsequent Grimmway ESG Reports, the company will be able further identify and advance sustainability goals, measure and compare progress to global industry peers, foster transparency and accountability, and foster greater transparency. The report is available online at the company’s. WebsiteThis information has been distributed among all stakeholders, including customers, supply chains, industry partners, employees, and suppliers.
About Grimmway Farms
Grimmway Farms is America’s largest producer and exporter of organic fruits and vegetables, and the largest producer and exporter of carrots. Grimmway employs over 8,000 people who can grow, pack and deliver more than 1.3 Million tons of fresh carrots each year to customers in all 50 US states and more then 20 countries. Grimmways headquarters is located in Bakersfield (California). Its operations cover seven states and more than 50,000 acres certified organic produce. Visit www.grimmways.com for more information. grimmway.com.
