From Hortidaily (December 8, 2014)

US (AZ): Wholesum Harvest Earns “Best” Ratings from Whole Foods

Organic grower Wholesum Harvest today announced that Whole Foods Market has awarded a “Best” rating to each of the company’s three farms as part of the grocer’s new Responsibly Grown program.  The program is designed to help customers make more informed purchases by offering transparency about how their food is grown and, also, rewards the growers who are taking steps to protect consumer health and the environment.  

A “Best” rating indicates that Wholesum Harvest has demonstrated exceptional efforts to grow responsibly by preserving worker rights and promoting green growing practices—avoiding unhealthy agrochemicals and aggressively pursuing sustainability.  Wholesum Harvest met the requirements for a “Best” rating, and even went above the standard by supplying produce that is also certified organic.

“We are honored that Whole Foods Market has recognized our commitment to the environment, our workers, and our customers by awarding our farms with “Best” ratings,” said Ricardo Crisantes, general manager, Wholesum Harvest.  “At Wholesum Harvest, our goal is to leave the Earth better than we found it.  We’ve taken steps to conserve and reuse water in our greenhouses; we utilize solar energy as much as possible to supply the energy needs for our facilities; and we use natural methods of pest control rather than dangerous chemical pesticides.  Additionally, we are Fair Trade Certified™ because of our work to protect the health, safety, and economic interests of our employees and their families, and also to ensure their access to education and affordable housing.  We operate our business this way because we know it to be right, but it is always rewarding and encouraging to be recognized for our hard work.”

Whole Foods Market’s Responsibly Grown program can award growers ratings of “Good,” “Better,” or “Best” if they meet certain criteria.  The rating system evaluates growers in the following areas: soil health; air, energy and climate; waste minimization; farm worker welfare; water conservation and protection; ecosystems and biodiversity; and advanced pest management.  Growers must offer transparency related to the use of GMOs, and may not utilize irradiation treatments or biosolids.  
In addition, growers earning a “Best” rating must show that they protect pollinator health and demonstrate industry leadership in the areas of pest control and sustainability.

“Wholesum Harvest is proud to provide our customers with produce that is organic, delicious, and responsibly grown.  We applaud Whole Foods for its efforts to help consumers make informed choices in the produce aisle, while also encouraging growers to make better, healthier choices in their fields and greenhouses,” said Crisantes.



Wholesum Family Farms, an organic produce company based in Nogales, Arizona, offers certified organic tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, eggplants, mangos, squash and zucchini under the brand name Wholesum Harvest.  The company’s produce is Fair Trade Certified™ by Fair Trade USA, the country’s leading third party Fair Trade certifier.  Wholesum Family Farms is dedicated to biological pest management, sustainable agriculture, minimizing its carbon footprint, socially responsible business practices and earth friendly packaging. Wholesum Harvest is a member of the Food Trade Sustainability Leadership Association.