WASHINGTON, DC - Equitable Food Initiative, the workforce development and certification organization that partners with growers, farmworkers, retailers, and consumer groups, celebrated a groundbreaking year marked by transformative advancements in ethical labor practices, collaboration, and workforce development across the produce supply chain.

A key highlight from the year is the rapid growth of the Ethical Charter Implementation Program (ECIP). Administered by EFI, the program launched in November 2023 and gained significant momentum in 2024. More than 260 suppliers and 1,200 growers have joined the ECIP LAB platform to date, fostering collaboration, accountability, and engagement across the supply chain. The growth underscores the industry’s commitment to advancing responsible labor practices and alignment within the industry to the Ethical Charter on Responsible Labor Practices.

“EFI has made significant progress in strengthening buyer, supplier, and grower participation in ECIP this year,” said Laura Himes, Vice President of Produce Sourcing for Walmart. “We are constantly learning and growing from these initiatives. By scaling best practices across the industry, we can create a more sustainable future for all stakeholders. We’re thrilled to be a part of this important work providing labor tools and training at scale.”

The forward-looking vision for ECIP in 2025 will continue to drive innovation in workforce development and labor practices, a press release stated. Plans include the introduction of optional worker surveys to give employees the chance to assess the impact of labor management systems, as well as a new engagement tool for farm labor contractors to ensure that all employers and workers in the supply chain understand the principles of the Ethical Charter.

To maximize the integrity and impact of growers and suppliers in ECIP, EFI will expand educational initiatives in the coming year to provide information and tools needed to maximize engagement.

“Reaching these milestones is more than a celebration of progress so far; it’s a call to action for the future,” said Peter O’Driscoll, EFI Executive Director. “The Ethical Charter Implementation Program represents the next chapter in EFI’s mission to build a more ethical, sustainable, and worker-centered food system.”

Known for its foundational skills-based training at the core of its certification program, EFI brought training and educational opportunities to the full industry for the first time in 2024 through a suite of learning products, from free webinars to one-hour seminars and intensive customized courses. More than 500 attendees furthered their understanding of core social responsibility concepts aligned with the Ethical Charter.

For more from the press release, click here. And stick with ANUK for more updates.