WATSONVILLE, CA - Earning a certification is no small feat, especially when it comes to our industry’s high standard for sustainability. California Giant Berry Farms recently earned a well-deserved certification as its corporate headquarters has been awarded Gold under the TRUE (Total Resource Use and Efficiency) Zero Waste certification program. The Gold certification recognizes the company’s achievement of diverting 91.24 percent of its office waste away from landfills and other waste outlets over the past twelve months.

“California Giant is focused on having a sustainable business that cares for the environment and the hardworking people that make it possible. This certification validates our efforts and will keep us all accountable to maintain and continue to improve upon these results moving forward,” said Joe Barsi, President. “I am proud of the work of the sustainability team that led this arduous undertaking and of all the staff for their commitment and participation in this group effort.”

Administered by Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI), TRUE validates businesses’ efforts to define, pursue, and achieve their zero waste goals, which in turn, reduces their carbon footprint and supports public health. With TRUE’s holistic approach and step-by-step guidance from Measure to Improve, LLC (MTI), California Giant committed to implement permanent process improvements to reduce its use of materials, encourage reuse and recycling, and foster a zero waste culture throughout the organization.

To receive a TRUE Zero Waste Certification, businesses must achieve a minimum 90 percent diversion rate for solid, non-hazardous waste. According to a press release, additional requirements include leadership, employee education, communication, innovation, and the commitment from every single employee to participate.

“I am absolutely thrilled that California Giant has achieved this Zero Waste Certification. Especially during these unprecedented times, it is an outstanding display of dedication from our California Giant Family,” said Eric Valenzuela, Director of Food Safety and Sustainability. “Over the past year, we documented, trained, and literally climbed into dumpsters to reach the target diversion rate. Under the stellar guidance of Measure to Improve, the staff worked really hard to achieve this goal as part of our overall arch of sustainability.”

California Giant was founded with a mission to give back. This mission not only includes philanthropy, but also protecting the land and caring for the people within the company and greater community.

“We want to demonstrate to the industry that this is achievable and to be a leader in our community by giving back,” said Valenzuela.

The TRUE certification underscores the company’s three-pillar approach to sustainability: People, Plant, and Product. Congratulations to California Giant on this incredible achievement!

California Giant Berry Farms