PALMETTO, FL - Crucial funding has been awarded to Pacific Tomato Growers, a Sunripe Certified Brands grower. The supplier will receive $1,720,000 through the United States Department of Agriculture’s Farm Labor Stabilization and Protection (FLSP) pilot grant program.

“We’re grateful under these extreme labor conditions to be awarded the FLSP grant by the USDA,” said Jon Esformes, Chief Executive Officer. “This funding will enable us to continue attracting farmworkers to our domestic U.S. farming operations while maintaining our leadership in setting a standard of excellence in the agricultural industry.”

The FLSP grant has three goals, according to a press release:

• Drive U.S. economic recovery and safeguard domestic food supply by addressing current labor shortages in agriculture
• Reduce irregular migration from Northern Central America through the expansion of regular pathways
• Improve working conditions for all farmworkers

Pacific Tomato Growers' awarded project, “Development and Improvement of Agriculture Labor Program for Domestic and H-2A Farmworkers,” focuses on comprehensive worker management and welfare. The initiative will be executed through continuing strategic partnerships with the Fair Food Program (FFP), the Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW), and the Fair Food Standards Council (FFSC).

This grant support will help Pacific Tomato Growers solidify its position as a preferred ethical employer within the agricultural sector, attracting and retaining a robust labor force. The initiative will extend the company’s operational capacity into Central America (Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala).

“We applaud the USDA for their vision and support,” Esformes continued. “This grant is not just an investment in our company, but in the lives and well-being of our hard-working people on the farms. Our partnership with the Fair Food Program (FFP), Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW), and Fair Food Standards Council (FFSC) ensures that we continue to provide a safe, just, and participatory work environment. As the first grower to sign a direct agreement with the Coalition of Immokalee Workers back in 2010, we are honored and grateful that the USDA is recognizing the model of excellence that the FFP, CIW, & FFSC have set and continue to expand.”

Congratulations to the company on this impactful funding!