Equitable Food Initiative

California-grown. EFI-certified. Across the state,10 suppliers and more than 160 locations—including fields, packing facilities and greenhouses—are EFI-certified. That means the produce grown and packed at these operations is supported by a commitment to worker engagement, food safety and more responsible practices across the supply chain. This California Farmer & Farm Worker Month, we’re celebrating the people and operations behind California-grown produce. Learn More >>> https://hubs.li/Q04ywJcM0 #CaliforniaGrown #CaliforniaFarmerFarmWorkerMonth #EFICertified #EFI

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with Lulu Rivera. Originally from Puerto Rico and raised in a family of small-scale growers who cultivated fresh herbs and produce for local restaurants, Lulu’s connection to agriculture runs deep. Today, as a Training Manager for Equitable Food Initiative, she brings that connection to her work by building collaborative teams and helping create better working conditions. For Lulu, self-sustainability and the cycles of nature are more than concepts — they’re a source of connection and purpose. She’s proud to contribute to a culture of change, collaboration and continuous improvement in the agricultural industry. This Hispanic Heritage Month, we’re proud to celebrate Lulu and the many stories, experiences, and perspectives that strengthen the food-growing industry. ❤️ #HispanicHeritageMonth #FoodGrowingIndustry #Agriculture #FarmWorkers

Day 1 of #GPFS is off to a strong start! 🍓🍎🌱🌻 Cathy Burns opened with the State of the Industry, and a reliable workforce made her list of the top needs for a robust and future-proofed fresh produce and floral industry. That’s a conversation worth continuing, and the Equitable Food Initiative team is here for it. We’re catching up with growers and suppliers on engaging their teams and meeting social responsibility requirements, and with retailers on raising the bar for labor practices across their supply chains. The people behind our products are the future of this industry. If you’re at the show, reach out! We’d love to talk about what investing in your workforce could look like for your operation. International Fresh Produce Association Gonzalo Martinez de Vedia Kenton Harmer Madelyn Edlin Diona Monroe Julia Rivara #GFPS2026 #FreshProduce #Floral #ResponsibleLabor

What does a day in the life of farmworkers look like? In EFI’s "A Day in the Life of a Farmworker" video series, we follow a married couple who both work as quality control at a strawberry farm in Mexico. Created, designed and filmed by farmworkers, the series offers a firsthand look at the skill, dedication and pride brought to work every day. 🎥 Watch their stories and see their work through their own lens. https://hubs.li/Q04ywHXz0 #FarmworkerFriday #FarmworkerStories #EFI #DayInTheLife

National Farmer's Day celebrates the farmers who grow our food, care for the land and help keep our communities nourished. Farming takes knowledge, dedication and long hours—and it’s made possible by the farmers and farmworkers who work together throughout the agricultural industry. This #NationalFarmersDay, leave a comment here and thank them for their hard work! #FarmersDay #NationalFarmersDay #EFI #FoodGrowingIndustry

For this #FarmworkerFriday, we’re highlighting Franklin Rolando Carrillo Rodas, a Temporary Foreign Worker Packhouse at Windset Farms. Over the past 10 years, Franklin has grown from working in the greenhouse to taking on leadership responsibilities across the operation. Along the way, he’s embraced every opportunity to learn—from improving his English to learning Punjabi—and has helped fellow workers adjust to life and work in a new country. A 2025 Farmworker of the Year finalist, Franklin continues to set an example through his initiative, determination and commitment to helping others grow alongside him. #FarmworkerFriday #FarmworkerOfTheYear #EFI

October is packed with opportunities to celebrate, connect and champion workforce development across the fresh produce industry! Here’s what’s in our newsletter: 📨 National Farmers Day (October 12). Find a farmer and thank them for their hard work! 📨 Read our latest blog and download our exclusive recipe book to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month 📨 International Fresh Produce Association Global Produce & Floral Show (Orlando, FL | Oct 14–16). Heading to Orlando? Join EFI and our industry partners on the show floor. We’d love to meet you, discuss continuous improvement in agriculture, and build new connections. 📨 EFI powers the fair trade movement every day. Learn how that commitment shows up in EFI’s work in this newsletter. 👉 Read the full newsletter and access our resources here ⬇️

The people who grow and harvest our food are skilled professionals, and the labor movement helps make sure they're recognized that way. That came through clearly at the United Farm Workers Annual Reception, where our Executive Director Gonzalo Martinez de Vedia joined UFW President Teresa Romero and allies from across the labor and human rights communities. Teresa shared an honest look at the realities farmworkers face today, along with the progress the union continues to make on their behalf. At EFI, our longstanding relationship with UFW is part of what makes our multi-stakeholder model work. Workers, growers, retailers and consumers each have a stake in a stronger food system, and lasting progress happens when everyone has a seat at the table. Investing in workers creates better jobs, workplaces and businesses. A heartfelt thank you to the Human Rights Campaign for hosting us, and to UFW for their continued partnership. Farmworker Justice National Farm Worker Ministry #UFW #LaborMovement #Farmworkers #WorkerLeadership #FoodSystems

We're celebrating the 2027 ECIP Leadership Circle at the International Fresh Produce Association Global Produce & Floral Show! 🌱 This invite-only celebration honors this year's Leadership Circle suppliers and their commitment to continuous improvement and a more socially responsible supply chain. Retailers will share remarks and join us in recognizing the achievements of this outstanding group. 📍 Trabucco at Hilton Orlando 📅 October 15 | 5–6:30 p.m. 🎤 Retailer remarks at 5:45 p.m. Congratulations to this year's Leadership Circle suppliers, we can't wait to celebrate with you in Orlando! Learn more about the event https://hubs.li/Q04ywFms0 ______ Are you a 2027 Leadership Circle supplier who hasn't received an invitation yet? Reach out to info@equitablefood.org. #ECIP #LeadershipCircle #GPFS2026

Food tells a story. 🌱 For Hispanic Heritage Month, EFI is celebrating the recipes, traditions and experiences that reflect the rich cultures represented throughout the food-growing industry. Our new digital cookbook brings together favorite recipes from across Hispanic and Latin American cultures—each offering a taste of the traditions and personal stories behind the food. Explore the cookbook, discover new recipes and celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month through food. 📖 Explore the cookbook → https://hubs.li/Q04ywB6N0 #HispanicHeritageMonth #FoodStories #FoodCulture #EquitableFood