WASHINGTON - Team growth is the latest form of development driving success for Equitable Food Initiative (EFI). The certification organization and produce ally has welcomed two industry members to new positions, appointing Gabriela Lopez-Barry as the Ethical Charter Implementation Program (ECIP) Project Manager and Alexandra Martinez as Marketing and Sales Associate.

“My background as a project manager in food systems and experience in managing food brands made working for EFI extremely appealing,” commented Lopez-Barry. “I’m excited to work on ECIP, which is poised to truly transform the industry around labor management systems.”

Lopez-Barry will use her expertise to implement a framework that creates a baseline for accountability and ensures people throughout the fresh produce and floral industries are treated with dignity and respect, a press release explained.

Prior to joining EFI, Lopez-Barry worked in the high-quality food industry and in food system analysis for a decade and has in-depth experience launching and managing international brands in the United States.

Also joining the EFI team is Martinez, who supports the team in a variety of marketing and sales outreach efforts with technical, communication, and analytical skills.

“Living in the United States helped me grasp the importance of adopting sustainable practices and making ethical decisions in the industries we encounter as consumers, including, of course, the agricultural industry,” commented Martinez. “EFI’s strategy of bringing everyone to the table for a more transparent industry is a change I want to be a part of.”

As the release also noted, Martinez began her nonprofit journey volunteering for a children’s foundation as a marketing committee member, and for a microfinance group where she served as a business mentor.

LeAnne Ruzzamenti, Director of Marketing and Communications, commented on these recent appointments.

“EFI is excited about the experience and fresh perspectives Alexandra and Gaby add to the team,” said Ruzzamenti. “Alexandra’s skills and passion provide us with the support we need in executing our sales and marketing strategies, and Gaby’s extensive knowledge of the industry will serve us well as she manages the development and launch of the Ethical Charter Implementation Program. Being driven to make improvements that make this industry more sustainable is a popular mindset throughout the workforce today, and our employees come to EFI to positively impact the food system.”

Read more about Lopez-Barry and Martinez’s careers by clicking here. And for more industry news, keep clicking on ANUK.

Equitable Food Initiative