Responsible Manufacturer Benchmark - FirstFruits Farms

By CommonShare

FirstFruits Farms, LLC is a renowned agricultural company that has been a steadfast leader in the industry for over 40 years. Specializing in the cultivation, packaging, and shipment of a wide variety of organic and conventional apples, cherries, and pears, the company prides itself on its commitment to sustainable and socially responsible practices. With a focus on the intersection of people and planet, FirstFruits Farms has established itself as a trusted source of high-quality fruit, earning a reputation for unique varieties and cause-minded promotions that set them apart in the market.

As one of the largest growers in the Eastern Washington region, FirstFruits Farms controls approximately 5% of all U.S. apple production, demonstrating their significant presence in the industry. What sets the company apart is its vertically integrated approach, allowing for greater control over the quality and safety of their fruit. This dedication to excellence has led to numerous achievements and accolades, solidifying their position as a recognized leader in the agricultural sector. Serving a diverse customer base, FirstFruits Farms caters to both organic and conventional fruit consumers, offering a wide range of options to meet various preferences.

Founded in 1980, FirstFruits Farms has evolved into a comprehensive agricultural enterprise, with a strong emphasis on empowering their 2,500+ employees to actively participate in the company's mission to serve communities across the U.S. Their core values of dedication, steadfastness, honesty, and drive permeate all aspects of their operations, guiding their commitment to shared prosperity and continuous improvement. With a geographic presence in Eastern Washington and a dedication to environmental sustainability, FirstFruits Farms is poised for continued growth and success as they navigate the evolving landscape of the agricultural industry.

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.

FirstFruits Farms

United States

Learn More About This Company

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.