THE PACKER

September 17, 2009

Andrew & Williamson embraces social sustainability

By Bob Luder

When produce people speak of sustainability, they speak of taking measures and enacting policies in their companies that result in taking on stewardship of the planet, taking care of Mother Earth.

But what about taking care of people?

Some in the industry call that social sustainability. Andrew & Williamson Fresh Produce, Watsonville, Calif., calls it social responsibility.

And, it’s a responsibility that company appears to be taking to heart.

 “I really believe the social responsibility segment of our business is going to become a bigger deal over time,” said Mark Munger, vice president of marketing for Andrew & Williamson. “I think as consumers continue to mature and ask where their produce comes from, they’re going to be more concerned with how people that grow their food are being taken care of.”

Munger points to Andrew & Williamson’s growing region in the central part of the Baja California Peninsula — the Vizcaino region — as a prime example of how the company is taking care of its fieldworkers.

In northern Baja, in the San Quentin area, there are several towns, and employees live there year-round. But Vizcaino is in the middle of, well, nowhere. Workers are brought down there by Andrew & Williamson on long-term contracts, and they often bring with them their entire families. The company takes care of those people by providing daycare facilities, an elementary school with certified teachers, a medical facility, even a company store that’s owned and operated by the employees themselves.

Munger said Andrew & Williamson was hesitant to speak about its social sustainability programs in the past, because it didn’t want the idea to be thought of as a marketing stunt or promotion.

“We just think it’s the right thing to do, and there are benefits down the line,” he said.

Such as creating loyal employees, cutting down turnover, and increasing efficiency and productivity, Munger said.

“It’s a win-win business model,” he said.

The company also has built new homes for its workers Munger said are built with straw bales, which are sustainable and keep the insides cool in the desert heat. Andrew & Williamson also offers adult reading programs and plans on building a recreation center and church in the future.

Munger said Andrew & Williamson modeled its programs on those of Chicago-based Farmer’s Best Market’s operations in the Culiacan region.

“When you look at what is the root of success in our industry, it’s the picker and people who pack our product,” Munger said. “We try to do it for the right reasons.