Pollination Protection
Our precious pollinators make growing apples possible. And while our climate doesn’t support year-round bee colonies, we will always protect and nourish them while they are in our care. We are committed to protecting honey bees and providing them with a safe, natural habitat where they can thrive. We strategically plant our pollinator habitat in areas where inputs, especially nitroguanidine neonicotinoids, are not used. In addition, we are researching different plant protectors that work as replacements and still prove to be effective in pest management. Bees gain weight when they are in our orchards because they have so much accessibility to food – it is true, time with us helps heal the bees. Apples blossoms have abundant nectar that provide ample nourishment for the honeybee colonies, allowing the hives to leave healthier than when they arrived. 3,000 acres of perimeter orchard land is left in a natural state for bee and animal habitat. How we care for and protect our pollinators is fully congruent with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Certification. Certification is through the Global GAP-Integrated Farm Assurance Fruit and Vegetable version 5.4.
SugarBee® Ecotrays Are Here!
SugarBee® growers and packers are committed to reducing waste every step of the way, from the orchard to the home. The recyclable cardboard 4-pack reduces plastic and uses minimal material while still protecting apples for retail and transport.
Composting
Our composting program is a cornerstone of the operation, diverting more than 50 million pounds of organic waste from landfills each year. Inputs include mulched orchard wood, organic yard waste from employer-provided housing, locally sourced community organics, manure from neighboring cattle operations, and warehouse fruit waste such as leaves, stems, and culled fruit. The result is a nutrient-rich, biologically active compost that improves soil health and fertility, supporting long-term orchard productivity and helping advance our broader sustainability goals.
Carbon Sequestration
Carbon Space is a partner in analyzing and reporting on our current and future carbon initiatives. In their initial study, they showed that orchards can serve as incredibly valuable tools for carbon sequestration, meaning orchards pull carbon out of the air. In 2014, 32.62 acres of grass and sagebrush were converted to orchards. Before the conversion (2000-2013), the areas sequestered an average of 21.50 t CO2/year. After establishing the orchards, they sequestered an average of 80.60 t CO2/year (2014-2022). This transition nearly quadrupled the combined annual carbon sequestration in that area.
Sponsorship of Scripps Teacher of the Year
Sponsorship of CMA Teacher of Excellence
150+ Early Childhood Classrooms Provided with SugarBee® Apples and Farm Education
Responsible Labor
Companies responsible for SugarBee® growing, packing, and selling recently underwent a comprehensive evaluation and rating of our labor practices and management systems. A non-biased third party company gave us an Outstanding + Above Average Rating among industry peers in the areas of focus.
Overall Assessment:
- Effective in managing labor and safety risks.
- Policies and guidelines are mature.
- Company maintains thorough documentation and policies regarding worker safety and quality of life and conducts trainings in the language workers speak.
Freedom of Association and Grievance Mechanisms:
- Worker voice group with elected representatives who can raise concerns with senior leadership.
- Health and safety committee formed by workers to raise concerns.
- Open door policy that serves as communication channel between management and workers.
Health and Safety:
- Above average job of addressing potential risks at operation and is effectively managed.
- Company seeks out ways to go above and beyond legally mandated requirements where feasible, to provide decent living conditions to their workers.
Social Responsibility