Responsible Manufacturer Benchmark - Producer: Michael Collins

By CommonShare

Michael Collins is the driving force behind Old Athens Farm, a small family-run Vermont Organic Farmers (VOF) certified organic farm located in Westminster, Vermont. Since 1989, Michael has been dedicated to growing the highest quality produce for the local market, with a specialty in early-season greenhouse crops. The farm has gained a reputation for producing the earliest tomatoes and cucumbers year after year, with a focus on taste and freshness. Customers often praise the farm's produce, noting that the tomatoes taste like real tomatoes because they are grown organically in rich soil and picked at peak ripeness.

Old Athens Farm offers its produce directly at the Brattleboro and Londonderry farmers markets, as well as through various retailers, restaurants, and stores committed to locally grown, organic food. The farm also collaborates with individuals, caterers, and special events looking to feature its vegetables. With a strong emphasis on organic farming practices and a commitment to quality, Old Athens Farm has carved out a niche in the market for those seeking premium, locally sourced produce.

Michael Collins' leadership approach at Old Athens Farm reflects a deep-rooted passion for organic farming and a dedication to sustainability. The farm's mission revolves around producing the highest quality organic produce while prioritizing taste and freshness. As a pioneer in the organic farming industry, Michael's innovative techniques and unwavering commitment to quality have set Old Athens Farm apart from its competitors. Moving forward, the farm's strategic direction is poised to continue its focus on delivering exceptional organic produce to its loyal customer base while expanding its reach in the local market.

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: Michael Collins

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.