Responsible Manufacturer Benchmark - Radical Roots

By CommonShare

Radical Roots Farm, founded in 2000 by Dave and Lee O’Neill, is a renowned five-acre family farm located in Keezletown, Virginia. Specializing in the production of high-quality, certified organic vegetables, herbs, and plants, Radical Roots Farm is dedicated to promoting sustainable agriculture practices and educating others about permaculture. The company's core products include certified organic garden plants, which are available for purchase through plant sales, online platforms, and retail outlets. Additionally, Radical Roots Farm serves the local low-income community of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County by providing weekly vegetables from April through September, working in collaboration with over 18 partners to ensure access to organic produce for those in need.

With a commitment to catalyzing positive change, Radical Roots Farm sets itself apart in the industry by employing sustainable farming methods such as cover cropping, crop rotation, and natural pest control techniques. By eschewing synthetic chemicals and pesticides in favor of hand labor and natural cycles, the company prioritizes the health of its soil, roots, and plants. Notable achievements include the successful cultivation of a diverse range of organic vegetables and herbs, as well as the establishment of strategic partnerships with retail outlets like the Friendly City Food Co-op, Integral Yoga, and 4P Foods. The company's target markets encompass individuals and communities seeking access to fresh, organically grown produce.

Driven by a mission to promote sustainable agriculture and environmental stewardship, Radical Roots Farm remains firmly rooted in its values of quality, integrity, and community engagement. The company's geographic presence extends throughout Virginia, with a focus on serving local communities in need of organic produce. Under the leadership of Dave and Lee O’Neill, Radical Roots Farm continues to expand its reach and impact, with a strategic emphasis on increasing plant sales, enhancing community partnerships, and advocating for sustainable farming practices. As the company looks to the future, its commitment to education, innovation, and social responsibility positions it as a trusted leader in the organic farming 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.

Radical Roots

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.