Sustainability

We are committed to sustainable social, economic, and environmental practices in the production and distribution of our premium quality, fresh produce. These key areas of focus illustrate our commitment to responsible corporate citizenship.

Energy Efficiency

We are dedicated to reducing energy waste and improving equipment performance.  We are continuously taking steps to take advantage of all available technology to increase energy efficiency.  A high efficiency lighting upgrade in our Salinas and Yuma coolers reduces energy consumption by 276 tons of CO₂ each year.

Minimal Use of Pesticides

Our integrated pest management program is a strategic approach for managing pest issues to avoid or reduce the application of chemical agents.  This includes planting beneficial plants that attract helpful bugs to keep pests in check. In addition, careful monitoring of weather patterns and careful planning of watering schedules protect against the infiltration of pests.  Because of this, our use of pesticides is kept below what is currently tolerated by the USDA.

Aggressive Water Conservation

We use several strategies to conserve water wherever possible including cover cropping, water efficient landscaping, laser leveling and the use of drip tape.  In the late 1980's, George Tanimura implemented the use of drip tape into our farming practices to conserve water through precise application.  Our farmers also practice tillage methods that improve soil absorption and water retention.  Since 1998, through the use of drip tape, we have reduced our water consumption by 19%.

Protection of Soil Fertility and Effective Tractor Utilization

To maintain soil vitality, we rotate crops and use cover crops so beneficial nutrients can be harvested back into the earth to enrich the soil. 

Global positioning systems (GPS), laser leveling, and more efficient tillage practices are used to help our farmers carefully plan planting and farming schedules.  This results in precise crop rows and fewer tractor passes per field.  With fewer passes per field, our farmers conserve fuel and tractor resources.

Responsible Supply Chain Management

Our supply chain management strives to use the right amount of materials to achieve the most consistent performance from our packing materials throughout the supply chain.  All product packaging, corrugated cartons, and Reusable Plastic Containers (RPCs) are reusable and recyclable.  Recognizing the importance of waste reduction throughout the entire supply chain, we incorporate a desk-side recycling program.