WASHINGTON, DC - Equitable Food Initiative (EFI), has announced the launch of a supplier program within the Learn, Assess, and Benchmark (LAB) platform of the Ethical Charter Implementation Program (ECIP). This will be available to suppliers beginning today, September 9, 2024.

“Currently, there is no standardized platform for major produce buyers to assess the extent or impact of social responsibility efforts within their supply chain,” shared Diona Monroe, Data Manager, EFI. “This new component of ECIP gives suppliers the ability to demonstrate their leadership and receive recognition for their hard work to promote responsible labor practices. Retailers also get a comprehensive view of labor management systems in their supply chains, moving beyond traditional audits to build capacity and assess labor practices.”

Piloted in 2021 and fully launched in 2023, ECIP LAB is an online platform that provides tools and resources to suppliers and growers to strengthen labor management systems and align with the industry’s Ethical Charter on Responsible Labor, shared a release. ECIP is designed to connect buyers, suppliers, and growers in a uniform commitment to improving labor management systems and highlighting best practices across the fresh produce supply chain.

“We are excited about the impact this next phase of ECIP is expected to deliver by engaging our suppliers in new actionable ways,” said Jim Hancock, Vice President of Produce and Floral, Sam’s Club. “As suppliers begin to self-assess their own management systems, it will allow us to better support them and their growers with additional tools and resources, and to ultimately recognize the suppliers who are most engaged in developing responsible labor practices.”

Until this development, the LAB channels have been available exclusively to growers. Suppliers will now gain access to Supplier LAB, which includes a host of resources to support their grower partners to align with the Ethical Charter.

Suppliers will also be guided through carefully designed assessment questions and will be able to benchmark and prioritize areas for improvement, a press release shared. Most importantly, Supplier LAB will enable suppliers to demonstrate their alignment with the Ethical Charter to their retail and foodservice customers.

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