Responsible Manufacturer Benchmark - Champlain Orchards

By CommonShare

Champlain Orchards, Inc., a family-owned and ecologically managed orchard based in Shoreham, Vermont, stands as one of the oldest continually operating orchards in the state. With a primary focus on growing over 175 varieties of Eco-Certified fruits, including apples, peaches, pears, plums, cherries, nectarines, and berries, the company prides itself on carefully stewarding the land. Offering a diverse range of products such as hard cider, fruit, gift boxes, provisions, and orchard gear, Champlain Orchards is committed to providing fresh, high-quality produce while supporting local communities.

Renowned for its commitment to sustainability and social responsibility, Champlain Orchards has launched a new social mission, "Cider for Good", aimed at fighting food insecurity in local communities. Through this initiative, the company donates a quarter-pound of its Eco-Certified apples to local food banks for every 4-pack of hard cider sold, showcasing its dedication to nourishing communities and supporting the local food system. Champlain Orchards' dedication to ecologically grown fruits, handcrafted provisions, and crisp ciders reflects its values of intention, care, and a deep-rooted connection to the land.

With a history dating back to its inception in 1998 when 27-year-old Bill Suhr purchased 60 acres of orchard in Shoreham, Champlain Orchards has evolved into a thriving agricultural business spanning over 300 acres of fruit trees with 175 varieties and counting. The company's strategic direction is fueled by the passion of its people and a collective love of the land, resulting in products that are not only healthier for the soil but also for consumers. As a winner in USA Today's 2024 Readers' Choice Awards for Best Cider, Champlain Orchards continues to innovate, grow, and make a positive impact on its community and the environment.

Overall Rating

1.0

Under-Performing

Traceability

An increasingly important factor in global supply chains, traceability assesses the manufacturer's capability to track products and materials from origin to delivery. The Sustainable Manufacturers Benchmark® explores this through the lens of tiered supplier verification, culminating in end-to-end traceability with real-time monitoring and complete transparency.

Digitized Products

The digital landscape has transformed B2B interactions. This facet assesses the extent to which manufacturers have digitized their product offerings. The spectrum ranges from manufacturers without any online product catalog to those boasting advanced B2B e-commerce platforms, providing clients with order customization, real-time tracking, and an integrated view of the supply chain.

Preferred Materials

This aspect gauges the extent to which manufacturers incorporate sustainable, circular, and regenerative materials in their supply chain. It assesses whether companies merely use standard materials or whether they actively prioritize sustainable and preferred materials in their product range, even going so far as to offer digital verification of material certificates.

Facility Verification and Services

This dimension evaluates the openness and commitment of manufacturers regarding their facility's conditions and services. It covers a spectrum, from providing no facility details at all to showcasing comprehensive third-party audits, ensuring transparency in worker welfare and showcasing a clear commitment to maintaining top-tier facility services.

Readiness to Contract

Before entering a partnership, it's pivotal to understand a manufacturer's business legitimacy. The Sustainable Manufacturers Benchmark® checks for the presence and verification of essential documents, ranging from basic business licenses to comprehensive documentation, client testimonials, and even third-party attestations that verify a manufacturer's reliability and readiness to contract.

Champlain Orchards

United States

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How our Responsible Manufacturer Benchmark® Works?

By CommonShare

The Responsible Manufacturer Benchmark is a comprehensive framework designed to evaluate and rate manufacturers based on their commitment to sustainability, digital integration, readiness for contracting, material sourcing, and facility standards. It provides a clear, standardized metric for assessing manufacturers in a B2B environment, helping businesses make informed decisions aligned with their sustainability objectives. The benchmark covers crucial areas like end-to-end traceability, the digital verification of supply tiers, utilization of preferred materials, and verified social audits for facilities. By incorporating both depth and granularity across its criteria, the benchmark not only promotes transparency but also encourages continuous improvement in responsible manufacturing practices.