TARRYTOWN, NY - Last year, Jac. Vandenberg announced its goal to have all SUNRAYS® Mandarin growers Sustainably Grown® certified by the end of 2024. The importer has made significant progress toward that goal as SUNRAYS certified as Sustainably Grown by SCS Global Services will be hitting the United States market in the summer of 2024. Forbel, a producer of SUNRAYS, has reportedly become the first citrus grower in Uruguay to achieve the certification.

“Collaborations and partnerships are critical to turning ideas into actions, and this achievement by our grower partners is a testament to that. We are proud to be working with the teams at Forbel and Pampa Baja who share the same deep passion for sustainability and the protection of our species. Their commitment to sustainability is now verified by their achievement of becoming the first citrus growers in the world to earn Sustainably Grown certification,” said John Paap, Sustainability Manager at Jac. Vandenberg.

The first Sustainably Grown certified SUNRAYS Mandarins will be available in supermarkets across the United States this coming summer, shipped from Forbel and Peruvian SUNRAYS grower Pampa Baja.

Sustainably Grown provides customers with assurance that products meet strict environmental standards, farm workers and farm communities are protected and engaged, and the farm is economically resilient, a press release stated.

“We are proud to work with Jac. Vandenberg and their SUNRAYS growers, who value healthy and sustainable farming practices,” said Kevin Warner, SCS Global Services Director of ESG Certifications for the food and agriculture sector. “The Forbel team exceeded our expectations in meeting the stringent requirements of our standard, setting an important precedent in the Uruguayan fresh produce industry.”

Forbel embraces regenerative farming practices that enable it to nurture robust and resilient agroecosystems. Achieving the SCS Sustainably Grown certification marks a significant milestone that demonstrates the company's commitment to sustainability.

“It has been a challenging and demanding process for the entire Forbel team, but the satisfaction is immense due to the success achieved,” added Malena Miglionico, Operations Manager, Product and Certifications at Forbel. “This accomplishment reinforces the company's commitment to implement sustainability practices: economically viable, socially beneficial, and environmentally respectful.”

For more from the press release, click here.

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Jac. Vandenberg