Oppenheimer Group: Our Quality Difference: Growing Methods

OPERATIONS

Packaging

Oppenheimer-branded cartons are manufactured with 50 percent recycled material or greater, assuring durability as well as Earth-friendliness.
100% biodegradable and home compostable Earthcycle packaging, made with palm fiber has been used to bring kiwifruit, tomatoes, cucumbers, and other products to market.
EPI additives make our grape bags biodegrade faster than traditional plastic bags.
Reduced the use of wax in boxes, gravitating toward high technology papers/coatings, while also choosing smarter corrugate designs that require less square footage to produce.

Logistics & service providers

We look to our vendors (storage facilities, shipping lines, transportation companies, manufacturers, printers, etc.) to make sustainability a priority, and often include this expectation in our RFPs.

Diligent attention is given to vessel schedules (product phasing) to minimize the distance between the port of entry and the end user.

Use of backhauls involving other companies so trucks do not return empty.

Power saving office equipment and lighting.

Comprehensive recycling programs.

Recently SmartWay Certified, we aim to improve our transportation footprint and make a positive impact on the environment by reducing fuel consumption, and promoting energy efficiency and air quality.

Communities

We support the Produce Marketing Association Foundation for Industry Talent, donating $150,000 over five years. The Foundation’s goal is to sustain the future of the produce industry by attracting bright, talented individuals to the industry and by preparing produce employees to be future industry leaders by providing them with life-long learning opportunities.
We are contributing $25,000 over five years to support the Campaign for Children’s Health / Produce for Better Health Foundation, a non-profit group dedicated to increasing fruit and vegetable consumption by American families.
Throughout our offices, we support a number of national and local charities to give back to the community, including:

The United Way
The Canadian and American Red Cross
The Canadian Cancer Society
Heart and Stroke Foundation
Vancouver Sun Run
BC Children’s Hospital
Run for the Cure
Bowl for Big Brothers

SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTS

In addition to a range of organic items, which some consumers view as more Earth-friendly than conventional, we market products grown to two socially responsible standards — Fair Trade Certified and Rainforest Alliance — both international organizations committed to improving the lives of farmers and farm workers in the developing world while taking care of the environment.

Rainforest Alliance

Oppenheimer markets Peruvian mangoes (February-March) and grapes (December-February) grown by Saturno, Chilean grapes grown by Agromoba and Pronto (February-May), and Brazilian grapes from LaBrunier which bear the Rainforest Alliance seal.
Rainforest Alliance (RFA) began certifying agriculture products in 1992, and its system is built on the three pillars of sustainability: environmental protection, social equity, and economic viability.

Visit the Rainforest Alliance Web site for more: http://www.rainforestalliance.org

Fair Trade Certified

Oppenheimer began marketing Fair Trade certified organic and conventional sweet bell peppers from Divemex after the grower achieved certification in early 2011.

Visit the Divemex Fair Trade Web site for more: http://www.fairtradepeppers.com

AWARDS

Oppenheimer received the 2007 Produce Marketing Association Innovation Award in the Sustainability Category for North America’s first fully-compostable pack, made of Earthcycle palm fiber material, NatureFlex film, and a label made with compostable ink. The same pack was honored with the 2008 Dupont Packaging Innovation Award.

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