Homegrown Organic Farms is pleased to announce an expansion of its Equitable Food Initiative (EFI) certified acreage and organic commodities and has earned certification in the citrus category. The new acreage joins the company’s fully EFI-certified stone fruit and blueberry programs, the first of which earned certification in 2020.
The Equitable Food Initiative is a certification process that develops partnerships between farm and packing facility employees and their management. These connections help create a trusting work environment while improving overall working conditions, cultivating confidence and teamwork between farm workers and management and building an overall culture of commitment and collaboration.
“Caring for the land and people has always been a foundational value for both AgriCare and Homegrown. It’s only fitting for our family of companies to partner with programs like EFI that verify and increase the effectiveness of the work we’ve always done,” says Scott Mabs, CEO of Homegrown Organic Farms.
"Homegrown Organic Farms embodies the true spirit of EFI, going well beyond our standards to implement a people-centered operation that engages workers in every aspect of the operation," says LeAnne Ruzzamenti, director of marketing communications for EFI. "Its commitment and recent growth with the program bring the first citrus to EFI's Responsibly Grown, Farmworker Assured label, something I know will excite socially conscious consumers wishing to identify and support the very best growers."
As an ESOP, Homegrown Organic Farms has partnered with its sister company, AgriCare, to achieve the expanded EFI acreage and commodities. Together, they represent nearly 11,000 acres of EFI-certified fresh produce crops. Both companies look forward to partnerships with those who share in the commitment to healthier and safer conditions for farm workers and all employees throughout the supply chain.
The new acreage joins the company’s fully EFI-certified stone fruit and blueberry programs, the first of which earned certification in 2020.
“We are excited to continue to expand our EFI-certified programs for our customers and consumers. Caring for the land and people has always been a foundational value for both AgriCare and Homegrown. It’s only fitting for our family of companies to partner with programs like EFI that verify and increase the effectiveness of the work we’ve always done,” says Scott Mabs, CEO of Homegrown Organic Farms.
Since early November, Homegrown Organic Farms has partnered with retailers and distributors to ship EFI-certified organic citrus to stores. Certified varieties, including navel oranges, Cara Cara oranges, Blood oranges, Clementines, Tango and Gold Nugget Mandarins, will continue shipping into the new year. The company’s fully certified blueberry program will start its California berry season in mid-April.
For more information:
Elise Smith
Homegrown Organic Farms
Tel: +1 (559) 306-1777
marketing@hgofarms.com
https://www.hgofarms.com/