WASHINGTON - The Ethical Charter Implementation Program is excited to announce the launch of Engagement 2.0. This launch marks a major milestone in the ongoing mission of ECIP to raise the floor of social responsibility across the fresh produce industry.

ECIP LAB (Learn, Assess, Benchmark), the digital platform that provides actionable resources and rigorous self-assessment tools, will introduce several updates that have been shaped by user feedback. Changes include new resources, enhancements to the grower platform, updated engagement criteria, and a more user-friendly experience.

These updates are designed to support suppliers and growers at every stage of their continuous improvement journey toward more responsible labor practices.

Suppliers generate engagement profiles through their activity on the platform and by bringing their growers into the system. Their profiles are visible to retailers via the ECIP Buyer Dashboard, which helps buyers track progress toward alignment with the Ethical Charter on Responsible Labor Practices and highlights those suppliers who are most actively supporting grower participation.

Grower activity on the ECIP platform directly impacts supplier engagement profiles. Since ECIP is designed to promote responsible labor practices at field level, grower involvement is critical to improving engagement profiles for both growers and suppliers.

ECIP staff will host an educational event at the Organic Produce Summit on July 9, at the Memory Garden in Monterey, California. The session will preview the updated engagement profile, and major retailers will share remarks about how ECIP helps uphold their commitment to responsible labor practices.

A follow-up webinar for suppliers and growers will be held on July 14 at 10 a.m. PT to walk through Engagement 2.0 features and answer questions live.

“Engagement 2.0 represents the commitment of ECIP in meeting fresh produce operations where they are and helping them move forward in their social responsibility journey,” noted Peter O’Driscoll, executive director of Equitable Food Initiative, which manages the ECIP software platform and provides technical support, in the recent release.

The engagement thresholds and platform experience are designed with flexibility and reflection in mind, providing tailored guidance, useful resources, and space for operations to self-evaluate and grow. “We know that change can be daunting, especially for busy farming operations,” said Kenton Harmer, director of market-based impact for EFI. “Our goal with Engagement 2.0 is to make that next step more achievable and more effective, and to showcase the impactful work happening throughout the industry.”

As produce growers and suppliers prepare for these changes, they should keep the following key dates in mind:

July 14, 2025:

• Engagement 2.0 will launch.
• Buyer dashboards remain unchanged between July 14 and September 30, allowing time for growers to complete new self-assessments.

Sep. 30, 2025:

• Buyer dashboards reopen with new supplier engagement profiles that are based on the updated engagement criteria.
• Deadline for suppliers to qualify for the 2026 ECIP Leadership Circle and gain retailer recognition at the ECIP Leadership Circle in-person event to be held during IFPA’s Global Produce and Floral Show.

Building on last year’s success, ECIP will again recognize leading suppliers through the 2026 ECIP Leadership Circle. Eligibility will focus heavily on suppliers who successfully engage growers with the new criteria.

Through Engagement 2.0, ECIP continues its industry-leading work to professionalize and standardize responsible recruitment and ethical workforce management practices into the day-to-day operations of produce suppliers and growers. These efforts ensure the produce supply chain not only meets increasing buyer expectations but also builds a stronger, more resilient workforce.

To learn more about Engagement 2.0, visit ethicalcharterprogram.org/engagement2.