Responsible Manufacturer Benchmark - Root 5 Farm

By CommonShare

Root 5 Farm LLC is a certified organic vegetable farm based in Fairlee, Vermont, serving the Upper Valley area from May to December. With a focus on community and soil health, Root 5 Farm offers customizable CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) shares that include a variety of organic vegetables, as well as options for local meat, cheese, fruit, and more. By purchasing directly from the farm, customers not only receive incredibly fresh produce with minimal packaging but also enjoy cost savings compared to grocery store prices. The farm's commitment to sustainability and quality has garnered them a loyal customer base of over 400 members for the past 12 years.

Root 5 Farm sets itself apart by offering a flexible schedule with 12 convenient pick-up locations and the ability to switch locations or days according to individual schedules. Customized shares allow customers to personalize their boxes by selecting preferred items and making substitutions, ensuring a tailored experience. The pay-as-you-go model provides flexibility for customers to manage their subscriptions and even donate boxes to charity through Willing Hands. Root 5 Farm's dedication to customer satisfaction and environmental stewardship has earned them recognition as a leader in the local organic food market.

Founded by Danielle Allen and Ben Dana, Root 5 Farm embodies values of sustainability, community engagement, and ethical farming practices. Their mission is to provide high-quality, organic produce while supporting local food systems and promoting seasonal eating. With a strong presence in the Upper Valley region, Root 5 Farm continues to expand its offerings and reach, attracting a diverse customer base seeking fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Looking forward, the farm remains committed to innovation and excellence in organic farming, solidifying its position as a trusted provider of premium produce in the region.

Overall Rating

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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.

Root 5 Farm

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.