Responsible Manufacturer Benchmark - Smithereen Farm

By CommonShare

Smithereen Farm, a MOFGA-certified organic farm located in picturesque downeast Maine overlooking Cobscook Bay, stands as a beacon of sustainable agriculture and community engagement. With a focus on agroforestry practices, the farm produces a diverse range of products, including homegrown vegetables, wild medicinal herbs, seaweeds, low bush blueberries, and cranberries. What sets Smithereen Farm apart is its commitment to value-added product creation in its commercial kitchen, offering unique tastes that showcase the bounty of Washington County. The farm also hosts community events, workshops, and U-pick organic Maine wild blueberries, inviting the public to experience the beauty and vitality of the farm firsthand.

As Smithereen Farm enters its seventh season, it continues to expand its infrastructure and offerings, reflecting a dedication to innovation and growth. The farm's participation in events like the annual Pennamaquan Alewife Festival and collaborations with renowned figures in the industry underscore its commitment to promoting local food networks and supporting the Washington County community. Additionally, the establishment of The Minke cooperative commercial kitchen space has enabled local farmers and producers to create value-added products that capture the essence of coastal Maine, further solidifying Smithereen Farm's position as a leader in the region's agricultural landscape.

Driven by a mission to cultivate networks of resilience and growth, Smithereen Farm has received recognition for its efforts, including a Local Food Promotion Program grant from the USDA. The farm's dedication to promoting vibrant local food networks, encouraging young farmers to join the community, and distributing its products nationally reflects its commitment to sustainability and community building. With a focus on creating delicious products that reflect the essence of Downeast Maine, Smithereen Farm continues to evolve and innovate, paving the way for a bright future in 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.

Smithereen 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.