OXNARD, CA - As the fall berry season reached its peak, Bobalu achieved a significant sustainability milestone by securing a clean, 100 percent score on the Module 9: IPM Identifier Audit & Certificate. This accomplishment underscored the company's commitment to sustainable farming practices.

“I really wanted to be able to visualize the approaches taken on farm at Bobalu to develop a proper guide to maintain high quality and sustainability on every ranch long into the future,” stated Eric Valenzuela, Director of Food Safety and Quality. “Once I did that, I created a company ‘Strawberry Farming Growing Cycle’ guide.”

This comprehensive guide facilitated the implementation of Integrated Pest Management (IPM), a science-based strategy combining biological, cultural, physical, and chemical methods to minimize pest damage while safeguarding human health and the environment.

The Food Safety team at Bobalu assessed its entire program to create a systematic approach that led to this milestone. Grower/Managers, Applicators, and Certified PCA’s collaborated using the guide to achieve proven results.

“To achieve this certification, there are strict requirements to achieve. If one question is missed, we would essentially fail and not be certified. However, we had all the pieces put together like a jigsaw puzzle,” Valenzuela added.

According to a press release, the certification was issued to Bobalu by the Primus GFS Audit team, further reinforcing its dedication to quality and sustainability in berry production.

Valenzuela also expressed pride in his team.

“As the Director of Food Safety & Quality for Bobalu, what I am most proud of is Mireya Cancino (FSQA Supervisor for Bobalu) working with Jorge Ambriz and Salvador Hernandez (WCBF-Oxnard) and Tim Driscoll and Adrian Orozco (WCBF-SM). Mireya had to work with each of those individuals in gathering information, looking at the farm tools and practices to essentially break down the current program and rebuild it. But most importantly, simplify the process, so that it can be understood at all levels on all ranches,” concluded Valenzuela.