YAKIMA, WA - Community is a critical aspect of our industry. Some have embraced this role to new levels, seeking ways to ensure their legacy goes beyond the soil of an address. This year, as our team sought to recognize one standout, the 2024 Besties committee ruled it was FirstFruits that would carry the title of Best Philanthropic Initiatives.

“We want our partners and their communities to benefit from FirstFruits’ strong sense of community that we enjoy every day we’re in operation,” Emily Cox, Marketing Manager, explained as we connected on the importance of such initiatives to the company. “FirstFruits Farms has a long history of giving back, and it’s something that is ingrained in our culture. We understand that our success is deeply connected to the well-being of the communities we serve.”

Supporting initiatives like Youth Make A Difference and Take A Bite Out of Hunger, among other actions, propelled FirstFruits to the top of the Besties’ contender list. Moreover, they are perfect examples of the brand’s core values to give back and foster positive change. By integrating its efforts into core operations, Emily shared, the team has consistently reinforced its positive impact.

“Year after year, we are inspired by those who either engage in our programs or benefit from them. It’s wonderful when we can come together with our partners and work towards a shared goal that is bigger than us and our everyday business,” she said.

FirstFruits’ long-running program, Take A Bite Out of Hunger, started by recognizing a void in food banks that wasn’t being filled. Fresh, healthy food donations were greatly needed in these communities.

“We realized that, in conjunction with our customer partners, we could contribute to addressing this need,” Emily explained, adding how Opal's Youth Make A Difference takes this one step further. “It empowers young individuals by funding initiatives focused on food education and security, hunger relief, and community engagement. It’s the youth leaders that are working to make a change in their communities that are so inspiring. Like them, we seek to create lasting positive effects within our communities. And since our communities stretch across the nation, we wanted to support youth leaders no matter where they lived. Through Youth Make A Difference, we get to do just that.”

For the Besties award process, our team handles the initial nominations to ensure each nominee meets our stringent standards. We then share our nominees with our Besties committee.

The committee is composed of experienced retail buyers or individuals with substantial experience and knowledge in their respective fields. This year, they voted on every category except for one: Retailer of the Year. Each committee member received a ballot with three nominations for each award category. Based on their votes, we determine the winners of the Bestie Awards.

Over the years, FirstFruits’ philanthropic projects have grown in scope and impact, from increasing dollars donated to expanding the number of grant awardees, building dreams and realizing its own vision of helping build a better community.

“These initiatives allow us to carry out our commitment to addressing both immediate and long-term needs within our communities, continually enhancing our efforts to make a meaningful difference,” Emily concluded, leaving me in awe of the financial, physical, and future potential such a well-rounded support system has on those surrounding the FirstFruits team.

Is it any wonder this is the newest title holder for Best Philanthropic Initiatives?

Congratulations to all of FirstFruits on this impressive commitment to making impactful change in the community around you!