Celebrating Progress in Responsible Labor Practices: Equitable Food Initiative Marks a Milestone Year

The Equitable Food Initiative (EFI), a pioneering workforce development and certification organization, has marked significant progress over the past year. Partnering with growers, farmworkers, and retailers, EFI has made substantial strides in advancing responsible labor practices, enhancing industry collaboration, and fostering worker engagement throughout the fresh produce supply chain.

A Decade of Achievements

In 2025, EFI celebrated its 10th anniversary as an independent nonprofit organization, showcasing program expansions and strengthening industry partnerships. A standout achievement has been the generation of nearly $30 million in worker bonuses since the inception of the EFI certification program, underscoring the essential role workers play in maintaining EFI’s rigorous labor and integrated pest management standards.

Expanding the Network

This year also saw the addition of diverse new suppliers, including Rainbow Valley Orchards, one of the smallest companies to achieve EFI certification. Currently, EFI-certified operations span over 300 locations across the Americas, a testament to the growing network dedicated to ethical practices.

Innovating Engagement

In 2025, EFI and its partners launched the “Engagement 2.0” version of the Ethical Charter Implementation Program (ECIP), which witnessed participation from over 300 suppliers and 1,600 growers. This growth was further supported by grants from the Walmart Foundation and Kroger’s “Zero Hunger | Zero Waste” Foundation, aiding in the expansion of program capacity and resources.

Costco’s Leadership Role

Costco Wholesale, a founding board member, has played a pivotal leadership role in expanding EFI’s impact. As the largest contributor to worker bonuses on EFI-certified farms, Costco was also the first retailer to invite its entire fresh produce supplier network to join the ECIP. Bob Huskey, VP and GMM of fresh produce for Costco’s U.S. business, emphasized the importance of supporting workers: “Treating workers well is not only the right thing to do; it also results in higher quality and safer products for our members.”

Advancing Workforce Development

EFI continued its commitment to workforce development by providing intensive training in foundational skills such as communication, problem-solving, and conflict resolution to an additional 220 workers. Since 2014, a total of 3,158 workers and supervisors have benefitted from this training.

Building Pathways for Economic Mobility

Collaborating with state agencies and industry partners in California, EFI is working towards a statewide framework for the documentation, assessment, and credentialing of agricultural skills, paving the way for long-term economic mobility for essential agricultural workers.

Maintaining Certification Integrity

To ensure the integrity of its certification process, EFI has enhanced its Responsibly Grown, Farmworker Assured program, which maintains rigorous standards trusted by buyers and growers alike. Peter O’Driscoll, executive director of EFI, stated, “These refinements ensure that the program continues to meet the needs of a rapidly evolving industry while preserving the credibility and rigor that stakeholders rely on.”

Amplifying Farmworker Voices

EFI engaged in targeted campaigns throughout the year, including Farmworker Awareness Week and Hispanic Heritage Month, to amplify the voices and contributions of farmworkers. The second annual Farmworker of the Year campaign recognized standout contributions, with Rafael Teran Melchor of Stemilt Growers named the 2025 recipient from over 50 nominations.

Welcoming New Board Members

As EFI looks to the future, it has welcomed seven new members to its board of directors in 2025. Representing a diverse array of roles within the food industry—from ethical sourcing and labor rights experts to educators and retailers—they bring invaluable expertise and perspectives, driving culture change towards more equitable labor practices across the supply chain.

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