Responsible Manufacturer Benchmark - Ward's Berry Farm

By CommonShare

Ward's Berry Farm, located in Sharon, MA, is a family-owned and operated farm that has been a staple in the community since 1982. Founded by brothers Jim & Bob Ward, the farm prides itself on offering the finest quality fresh-picked fruits and vegetables, along with a variety of homemade baked goods made from family favorite recipes passed down from their mother, Ann. Ward's Berry Farm goes beyond just produce, stocking shelves with gourmet grocery items, prepared foods, artisan breads, gourmet cheeses, jams, and spreads. The farm also features a sandwich counter, deli, smoothie bar, and a play area for children, making it a one-stop destination for all things fresh and delicious.

With a focus on pick-your-own crops during different seasons, Ward's Berry Farm offers a unique experience for visitors to get hands-on with the harvesting process. They host public hayrides, birthday parties, school tours, and seasonal events, creating a welcoming and engaging atmosphere for all ages. Additionally, the farm provides fresh native turkeys for Thanksgiving, as well as Christmas trees, wreaths, and garlands during the holiday season. Ward's Berry Farm's commitment to local, high-quality products and exceptional customer service sets them apart in the market, attracting a loyal customer base who appreciates their dedication to freshness and community engagement.

As Ward's Berry Farm continues to expand its offerings and enhance the customer experience, their mission remains rooted in providing the best farm-fresh produce and products to the community. With a strong emphasis on sustainability and supporting local growers, the farm aims to be a leader in promoting healthy eating and a connection to the land. Through their continuous innovation and commitment to excellence, Ward's Berry Farm looks towards a future of growth and expansion while staying true to their values of family, quality, and community.

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.

Ward's Berry Farm

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.