Responsible Manufacturer Benchmark - Producer: Heather Darby

By CommonShare

Heather Darby, alongside her husband Ron Hermann, is the seventh-generation farmer at The Darby Farm, a 130-acre diversified farm located in the Lake Champlain Islands. For over 200 years, the farm has been a staple provider of farm-fresh products to the community, offering a wide array of vegetables and fruits. Organic strawberries in June and a variety of vegetables such as potatoes, tomatoes, cucumbers, beans, and squash are just a few of the many offerings available at the farm's roadside produce stand. Their commitment to sustainability and quality is evident in their produce, which can also be found in local stores, restaurants, and at the Champlain Islands Farmer’s Markets.

Heather Darby and Ron Hermann have established themselves as leaders in the industry, known for their dedication to providing fresh, high-quality products to their customers. Their focus on organic farming practices and commitment to supporting Vermont's farm families sets them apart from competitors in the market. The farm's participation in the CSA shares program further solidifies their connection to vegetable lovers in the community, offering a unique opportunity for customers to support local agriculture while enjoying fresh produce.

With a rich history spanning over two centuries, The Darby Farm continues to uphold its mission of providing farm-fresh products while embracing sustainable farming practices. Heather Darby's leadership approach, alongside her husband and son Flint Darby-Hermann, emphasizes a strong sense of community and a deep-rooted commitment to the land. As they look towards the future, the farm remains dedicated to expanding their market presence and continuing to innovate in the agricultural industry, ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come.

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.

Producer: Heather Darby

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.