Once Upon a Farm, processor of several products incorporating dairy, announced a partnership with the Equitable Food Initiative (EFI).

Through this partnership, Once Upon a Farm is committing to source and pay premiums on produce from EFI-certified suppliers.

Once Upon a Farm set a goal to source 7 million pounds of organic produce from EFI-certified suppliers, covering an estimated 30% of ingredients purchased for their core portfolio in 2024. Premiums are directed to non-salaried farm employees as a bonus in recognition of their essential role and to reward workers for the extra training and diligence they bring to the fields through the EFI Program. 

“At Once Upon a Farm, we believe that to drive the systemic improvements in childhood nutrition we are committed to, we must also drive systemic improvements to how our food is grown, picked, and produced,” said John Foraker, Co-Founder and CEO of Once Upon a Farm. “A healthy food system begins with healthy farmworkers.”

Equitable Food Initiative partners with stakeholders across the food system to transform agriculture and the lives of farmworkers via training and premiums backed by audited third-party certification. EFI brings many stakeholders in the supply chain together to integrate worker voices in addressing the industry’s most pressing issues, including labor, sustainability, and food safety.

“Multi-ingredient consumer goods often have opaque supply chains, not by choice, but rather as a by-product of their complexity. We use over 110 different ingredients in our products, from suppliers big and small,” said John Foraker. “Given the diversity in our supply chain, there is not a one-size-fits-all model for responsible sourcing but Once Upon a Farm believes complexity should not equal complacency. We have an opportunity to see farmworkers as true partners in our mission to create safe, healthy products that parents trust. We also have an opportunity to be honest about the challenges and imperfections, so that we can work collectively with others in the industry on how to improve.”

Partnering with EFI is where the company can have the largest, most immediate impact within its supply chain. The company is committed to expanding the prevalence of EFI practices within its supply chain over time. It is the first, material step within a larger initiative to advance equitable sourcing.

“Everyone deserves safe, healthy, and respectful working conditions, farm workers included,” says Jane Kuhn, director of Sustainability at Once Upon a Farm. “This isn’t just an ethical imperative, it’s a business imperative. Farmworker well-being translates into better product quality and food safety. It’s also part of our commitment to foster a better world for parents and children. More than 50% of farmworkers are parents themselves. Prioritizing farmworker wellbeing through fair wages and adequate resources can have positive ripple effects on their households, fostering a healthier and more supportive environment for their children.”