OXNARD, CA - After introducing its production of mangos to the fresh produce industry, Mission Produce is back with a new launch, this time revealing the release of its inaugural Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Report entitled “Finest for the Future.” The grower’s recent report spotlights Mission’s accomplishments in sustainable farming and also details its commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I), climate risk, waste reduction, and community investment.

“Mission Produce’s first ESG Report illustrates our dedication to the finest practices for our people, product, and planet,” said Chief Executive Officer and Founder, Steve Barnard, Mission Produce. “We embody sustainable practices from field to fork, and our advanced farming practices allow us to keep our water usage per avocado well below the industry average. Our people are passionate and have an innovative spirit, constantly driving our operations to reduce our environmental footprint and contribute positively to our global community.”

Throughout the company’s 35-year history, Mission has made it a goal to invest in its people, state-of-the-art technology, and infrastructure, applying these facets to its sustainability initiatives as well. According to a press release, it is these tenets, along with the company’s roots in honesty, respect, and loyalty to the land, resources, and its people, that led to the creation of this report.

The goals highlighted in the inaugural release focus on reducing water and waste, investing in people, and minimizing carbon emissions. Some of the key accomplishments and goals include:

• Mission announced the implementation of a reduced plastic bag in at least 50 percent of the bags packed and shipped globally by fiscal year 2025, equating to almost 500,000 0.5-liter plastic bottles
• Mission’s precision and biodiverse farming methods use less irrigation water per avocado compared to the average grower, specifically 40.5 percent less water in Peru and 40 percent less water in California
• Solar panels at the packing facility in the Company’s Oxnard headquarters power almost three-quarters of the facility during peak season, with more facilities transitioning to supply renewable energy each year, specifically in Peru and California
• By the end of 2021, Mission aims to apply shelf-life extension technology to 22.5 million pounds of avocados to combat food waste and reduce shrink of avocados, the equivalent of powering almost 563 homes, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Greenhouse Gas (GHG) calculator
• Mission’s global workforce comprises nearly 50 percent women, almost 20 percent of whom were promoted in 2020
• Compared to 2019, in 2020, Mission was able to decrease its total global scope 1 and 2 emissions by 15.8 percent and reduce its total waste by 16.2 percent

“As we look to the future, we recognize the need to further understand and integrate DE&I practices within our organization and industry. People are our greatest asset, so we must do our part to value, protect, and foster that asset,” added Barnard.

In addition to the report, Mission is sponsoring one of the produce industry’s first DE&I initiatives in 2021, which will be run by the Center for Growing Talent (CGT) of the Produce Marketing Association.

“Creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture is essential to attracting, developing and retaining the talent that makes our industry thrive,” said CGT’s Executive Director, Doug Bohr. “With the Diversity & Inclusion Program Series, we’re helping the industry build a base of knowledge and resources to advance DE&I practices to benefit everyone, their businesses, and our industry. We’re thrilled to have the support of industry sponsors, like Mission Produce, in this work.”

To read the entirety of Mission’s 2020 Environmental, Social, and Governance Report, click here.

How will this new launch continue to evolve Mission’s market strategy? Keep reading AndNowUKnow as we report the latest.

Mission Produce