Fresh Picks & Sustainability Tips: August 2024

Although sustainability has become crucial and a top priority for the fresh produce industry, it is still an often misunderstood concept. At its core, we define sustainability using the Triple Bottom Line, which emphasizes the integration of three key components:

People: The social component, including workers’ rights and human rights.
Planet: The environmental component, covering waste, water, energy, climate, etc.
Profit: The economic component, focusing on financial viability and ROI.

Despite years of discussion, we still hear panelists, keynote speakers, and conference attendees say that sustainability means different things to different people. This ambiguity can be confusing and even discouraging to someone who is just trying to get started with their sustainability initiatives or programs.

While a consistent definition of sustainability is important, it’s more important to recognize that each organization's journey is unique. Think of sustainability as your organization’s “green print” — a personalized map of where you are now and where you want to go.

No two companies will have the same path, priorities, or responses to sustainability surveys. The key is to define where you are today and set ambitious yet achievable goals for your future.

This is something Measure to Improve (MTI) can help with – our Sustainability Strategy Planning Service helps clients identify, prioritize, and communicate their current sustainability efforts and target sustainability improvements that align with company values and have a strong business case.

When you’re ready to step up your sustainability efforts, we’ll be here to help you!

Warmest Regards,

Nikki Cossio - Founder & CEO - Measure to Improve

Defining Sustainability: Triple Bottom Line

Defining sustainability in the produce industry is not just about understanding lofty definitions; it’s about making it tangible and relatable. It’s recognizing that the industry is already practicing and implementing a lot of things that fall under the sustainability umbrella.

By defining and communicating all the work we are already doing in this industry, it becomes very apparent that we are not starting from scratch and actually have a solid foundation to stand on.

Learn more about how we define sustainability and its contribution to your operations triple bottom line.

Read the Article

Measure to Improve Supports SQFI on new SQF Sustainability Addendum for Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

MTI is excited to announce the collaboration with SQFI on a new SQF Sustainability Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Addendum for Pollinator Protection that can be used alongside the SQF Food Safety Code: Primary Plant Production for certification. This collaboration demonstrates Measure to Improve's and SQFI's leadership in finding collaborative solutions to promote sustainable agriculture, protect essential pollinators, and help growers incorporate emerging IPM demands with existing food safety structures they are already familiar with.

Pollinators, including insects and animals, are critical to our sustainable food system. According to the USDA, about one-third of global crop production relies on these pollinators. Protecting them from environmental harm is a growing concern among consumers, government institutions, NGOs, and food retailers. By practicing IPM, growers aim to understand natural agroecosystem functions, reduce inputs, and promote environments where people, crops, pollinators, and beneficial species can thrive.

Read the press release

From the Field

Salinas Biological Summit

The Salinas Biological Summit was action packed this year. Here are a few key takeaways from this year’s event:

Lots of investment went into developing and testing new biological products in the last 10 years
Biological products have shown great efficacy controlling pests and diseases, stimulating plant growth and development, amending soils, and cycling nutrients
Biological products need to be field trialed with growers, including providing training in how to use these products
There is a need for clear regulatory paths for expedited adoption

Organic Produce Summit

It was great to attend the Organic Produce Summit (OPS) earlier this month.

I love OPS for so many reasons. The location in Monterey, CA, is right in my own backyard, and the attendees, including industry peers, friends, and family, are always a pleasure to catch up with.

Not only does it bring people together, but it also provides valuable educational sessions and keynotes that are incredibly relevant and timely. The speakers are always knowledgeable and passionate as well. With so many great options, my only challenge was deciding which educational session to attend.

Check out the OPS Summit Recap for recordings of many of the sessions.

I always find OPS worth attending (this was my fourth time) and I am already looking forward to attending in 2025!

Seed to Service Broccoli Dinner Hosted By Bayer Crop Science

Thanks to the generous invitation from Jenny Maloney from Bayer Crop Science, Measure to Improve joined in celebrating the launch of a new broccoli variety, "Bayer's High Rise Eiffel."

The dinner brought together a diverse group of supply chain and industry experts to mark this special occasion. The event's theme, conversations, and dishes centered around "seed to service," highlighting the entire value chain involved in introducing a new vegetable category. The High Rise Eiffel variety features a stem bred for eventual mechanical harvesting. An additional benefit of the longer stem is its sweet, tender, and stackable quality.

Typically, the stem is left in the field and incorporated back into the soil. However, by creating this new product category, Bayer has successfully introduced a sustainable and snackable product into the food service sector.

Team Announcement

Please join us in congratulating Corinne Carney on her 6 year employment anniversary with Measure to Improve!

As our Senior Sustainability Program Manager, Corinne is focused on reducing the environmental, social, and economic impacts of resource consumption and disposal in the agricultural industry. She works with a variety of agricultural operations, including on-farm operations, packing and processing facilities, and corporate offices to drive positive, sustainable change.

She is a firm believer that data serves as the underlying foundation for any sustainability program. Corinne enjoys creating simple, manageable ways to help clients track, measure, improve, and report their sustainability progress and accomplishments.

Congratulations on 6 years, Corinne!

Upcoming Events

9/12 - 9/14: Southeastern Produce Council Southern Innovations
10/17 - 10/19: IFPA Global Produce & Floral Show
11/12 - 11/13: Sustainable Packaging Summit
12/4 - 12/5: Organic Growers Summit

Let's Connect

Fresh Picks & Sustainability Tips: August 2024