What is sustainable agriculture?
Sustainable agriculture is based on the principle that we can meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. With goals of environmental health, economic profitability and social and economic equity for farmer, producer and customer, sustainability requires a commitment to stewardship of the land and natural resources. Our sustainable practices include working with family farmers who raise their crops without the use of genetically modified organisms, reduce pesticide usage, conserve soil and water resources, and preserve and protect wildlife habitat. What is a sustainable food processor?
At Truitt Bros., we view sustainability as a journey. On this trip we are continually striving to improve our methods and practices to better serve our customers and the environment, while still achieving profitability. As a processor, we use vegetables and fruits grown on Food Alliance-certified farms. We also meet standards for sustainable practices at our processing facility that supplement our already high standards for quality control and food safety. These standards include:
Food Alliance operates a voluntary certification and eco-labeling program based on standards developed to define socially and environmentally responsible agricultural practices. It is considered the most comprehensive third-party certification program for environmentally and socially responsible practices in North America. Founded in 1997, Food Alliance started with a single Oregon apple grower selling to three area grocery stores. To date, Food Alliance has certified 215 producers in 16 states that manage more than 2 million acres of farm and range land. Embedded in Food Alliance’s program is a commitment to supporting the profitability and continued survival of small and mid-sized family-owned farms and ranches. To earn certification, we start by selecting and tracking foods coming from Food Alliance-certified farms. At our processing facility we met quantifiable goals to conserve water and energy resources. On the social equity side, we work hard to ensure safe and clean working conditions while fostering a supportive and respectful work environment. To ensure continued improvement, we work closely with Food Alliance to develop ongoing challenging goals. Each year we will be required to update these goals and to pass annual certification audits by Food Alliance inspectors. What does this mean for Truitt Brothers?
We proudly run a Food Alliance-approved processing facility and are packing Food Alliance approved Northwest grown products. Our Blue Lake green beans and Bartlett pears featuring the green Food Alliance certification differentiates our line from others available to foodservice buyers, food service operators and to consumers on the supermarket shelves. We have chosen to make the extra effort when it comes to the health of our customers and the environment. Through our collaboration with Food Alliance we have gained credibility within the community and the marketplace. We are proud to pioneer sustainably processed foods for the foodservice and the grocery sectors. At Truitt Bros., fruits and vegetables are captured at their peak of freshness, after being raised with care and responsibility by family farmers we know on a first name basis. We do nothing more than clean and trim the harvest and carefully conserve it – full of flavor and nutrition, mature and unspoiled by unnecessary chemicals - as close to nature as it can be. Why did we make a commitment to Food Alliance Certification?
Our demand for high standards led us toward a deeper commitment to our farm families. We view our growers as partners and by joining them in a shared goal of stewardship of our land and resources, we can also give them a better return on their product. Together, we are working to create a healthy and sustainable product. Our Food Alliance certification ensures that our claims about sustainability have meaning to our growers, employees – and – customers.
What other steps are you taking toward sustainability?
With each step toward sustainability, we gain knowledge and expertise that we translate to practical use. We look forward to increasing our line of Food Alliance certified food products. Other initiatives that we are working on include, researching alternatives to using corn syrup in our processed fruit products and measuring the organization’s carbon footprint, as we work toward implementing distribution efficiencies, as well as reducing our energy use and fuel consumption
With each step toward sustainability, we gain knowledge and expertise that we translate to practical use. We look forward to increasing our line of Food Alliance certified food products. Other initiatives that we are working on include, researching alternatives to using corn syrup in our processed fruit products and measuring the organization’s carbon footprint, as we work toward implementing distribution efficiencies, as well as reducing our energy use and fuel consumption
