TONS OF EMISSIONS REDUCED - Cal

Greener Fields Together Case Study Summary
Grimmway: Energy and Climate for California Farming Operations
TM
VERIFIED
SureHarvest
The Greener Fields Together
Meet Greener Fields Together National Farms Partner:
National Farm program is
In 1968, the Grimm brothers began nurturing their family business in the fertile
designed to build and
soil of the southern San Joaquin Valley in Central California. Today, Grimmway
manage a farm supplier
network dedicated to
farms more than 44,000 acres throughout California, and operates 12 packing
examining and improving
and processing facilities. Grimmway grows more than half of the carrots produced
sustainability in their
in California, moving 10 million pounds a day from the field through its process-
operations.Through 5Ps
ing facilities, then to its final retail destinations.
of Sustainability™ Verified
Case Studies, SureHarvest
will assist Greener Fields
Together National Farm
partners to evaluate their
sustainability efforts
according to the 5Ps.
5Ps Verified Case Study: Energy and Climate
As part of its commitment to creating a balance between social,
environmental, and economic gains, Grimmway Farms is reducing its
fuel use and air emissions across its California farming operations.
Over the past five years, Grimmway has focused its efforts to grow
SureHarvest then conducts
and harvest crops using the newest energy technologies and
on-site verification to ensure
innovations available. SureHarvest has documented and verified
accuracy and authenticity.
Grimmway’s farm energy conservation efforts using the 5Ps
of Sustainability™.
Sustainability Highlights
Grimmway innovates and adopts sustainable practices as part of its
core strategy to remain competitive in an ever-changing marketplace.
The company maintains a business philosophy to encourage innovation and autonomy across different divisions, creating a culture of
employee-inspired continuous improvement in energy efficiency.
In 2011, Grimmway received a “Clean and Green” award from PG&E
for its energy efficiency and environmentally progressive business
practices. This continued focus has led Grimmway to be recognized
440
TONS OF
EMISSIONS
REDUCED
Grimmway has invested
significant resources over
the past five years into
cleaner burning engine
technologies throughout
its farming operations,
reducing air emissions by
more than 440 tons.
as a 2012 “Kern Green Energy Efficiency and Conservation” recipient.
By investing in farm energy conservation, the company expects to
keep ahead of the market and regulatory requirements while
reducing operating costs.
Verified Case Study: Grimmway Energy and Climate for California Farming Operations
June 2013 Page 1
SureHarvest
1. Sustainability Principles
reducing its carbon footprint, preserving the
utilizes its
Grimmway Farms is dedicated to:
environment, and decreasing costs.
5Ps of
• Creating a balance between social,
Sustainability™
environmental, and economic gains
3. Sustainability Practices
–a continuous
• Maintaining and growing its existence as The Grimmway team continually identi-
stewards of the land
fies new cost-effective energy conservation
• Garnering growing techniques that optimize projects through regular analysis of its energy
crop yields and quality, while minimizing use records and data. Grimmway has adopted
improvement
business management methodology–
to craft case studies that evaluate
the alignment and execution of Greener
Fields Together National Farm partners’
sustainability efforts that contribute to
financial profitability, environmental stewardship and social progress. Each case study
goes through a verification step to confirm
that the reported information is accurate,
thorough and authentic.
Principles
The core values that define the
business strategy
Processes
water and energy use
many energy efficiency practices throughout its
California operations, including:
2. Sustainability Processes
• Using eco-boost technologies in its pickup Energy drives Grimmway’s farming operation,
truck fleet
so company staff and management have priori-
• Replacing and upgrading older farm equipment
tized farm energy efficiencies to be implement-
with the latest emission control technologies
ed throughout its California operations. One
• Swapping out diesel irrigation pump engines way that Grimmway remains competitive in the
with electric powered ones
always-changing produce market is by adopt-
• Frequent, regular inspection and maintenance ing and innovating new sustainable solutions.
of equipment
Grimmway recognizes many benefits of energy
• Using ATVs for irrigation crew transportation
conservation in its farming operations, including
The sets of managed activities that
create internal and external value
Practices
The methods used to accomplish
the desired operational results
Performance Metrics
KEY DESIGN FEATURES
The metrics and measurements
Larger Capacity
used to evaluate practice and
Made from recycled steel
process results
Lighter frame for fuel savings
Progress
The approach used to document,
communicate and drive continuous
improvement over time
Verified Case Study: Grimmway Energy and Climate for California Farming Operations
June 2013
Page 2
Prioritizing fuel-efficiency,
Grimmway is increasing its
use of new technologies
such as these EcoBoostequipped F-150 pickups.
Since 2010, Grimmway has used sustainability and
5. Sustainability Progress
environmental benefit information, required in all
As Grimmway has grown over the past 45 years,
farming bid inquiries, to guide vendor selection.
the company has maintained its business model to
The company utilizes GPS and GIS technologies
encourage innovation and autonomy across differ-
to optimize management and vendor transporta-
ent divisions. Grimmway managers meet weekly to
tion to farm sites. Grimmway’s produce trailers
evaluate operational needs and accomplishments,
meet U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
and prioritize new projects or initiatives. Employee
SmartWay vehicle requirements to improve fuel
ideas and feedback are integrated into these regu-
efficiency. Keeping true to its commitment to
lar meetings.
continually improve in energy conservation, the
company is currently undertaking a redesign of
its field trailers. The redesigned trailers are made
from recycled steel and will save fuel by accommodating more product per trailer load while
using a lighter frame.
4. Sustainability Performance Metrics
At Grimmway, energy performance metric data
are collected and analyzed in a variety of ways.
Prior to purchase, vehicle and equipment fuel
economy and air emissions are estimated, using
Utilizing GPS and GIS technologies, Grimmway is developing
in-house software to optimize travel between ranch sites.
factory design specifications. Estimated savings
On a quarterly basis, the Grimmway Board of
are used to project an anticipated return on
Directors and executive managers meet to analyze
investment, which includes fuel savings and
market and industry trends, as well as to evaluate
emission reductions. Fuel use for fleet pickups
the company’s performance in relation to its goals
is tracked and evaluated on a regular basis to
and overall business strategy. Employee ideas and
compare actual-versus-anticipated efficiencies.
feedback are gathered through ongoing meetings
Farm equipment fuel is also tracked and evaluated
and communications throughout the company, and
using a cost-per-acre to grow calculation. Farm
then integrated into the quarterly meetings.
8.3
%
FEWER TRIPS
FROM FIELD
TO FACILITY
Newly designed, largercapacity trailers will
accommodate more
produce per trip eliminating
one out of every twelve trips
bringing product from
field to facility.
electricity use is analyzed on an annual basis to
ensure that the rates and usage align for optimal
energy and cost savings.
Verified Case Study: Grimmway Energy and Climate for California Farming Operations
June 2013
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5
Grimmway: Energy and Climate for California Farming Operations
TM
Since 1968, the Grimm brothers began nur-
The Greener Fields Together National
SureHarvest is an agri-food sustainability
turing their family business in the fertile soil
Farm program was launched in 2012, with
solutions company delivering practical
of Kern County in the southern San Joaquin
the intent to build and manage a supplier
strategies, proven technologies, and
Valley in Central California. Today, Grimmway
network of national farms dedicated to
exceptional services to accelerate financial
farms more than 44,000 acres throughout
examining sustainability in their opera-
profitability, environmental stewardship
California, and operates 12 packing and pro-
tions. Through the completion of 5Ps of
and social progress.
cessing facilities. Grimmway Farms has been
Sustainability Verified Case Studies and
family owned and operated for 45 years,
reporting, the program will reveal
maintaining its promise to always take care
the efforts being made toward more
of the customer.
sustainable operations.
Grimmway is best known for its carrots,
Sustainability process areas in the
initiatives. Our services are often coupled
which are washed, prepared, and packaged in
Greener Fields Together National Farm
with farm management and sustainability
a variety of easy-to-use, healthy snack prod-
program include:
program management software technolo-
ucts, then shipped to destinations around the
• Community
gies to provide turnkey solutions.
globe. Grimmway also produces a number
• Employee Wellness
of citrus and potato varieties, as well as juice
• Energy and Climate
products.
• Packaging
For more information, please visit
• Pest Management
www.grimmway.com
• Soil Management
™
• Waste Management
• Water Management
Clients span the agri-food value chain and
benefit from SureHarvest’s market-leading
expertise and experience in the design,
execution and verification of sustainability
SureHarvest is the pioneer in adapting
business process approaches (e.g.Total
Quality Management, Six Sigma, Lean,
etc.) to the more variable conditions of
farming, harvest logistics, and packing/shipping. Titled the 5Ps of Sustainability™, this
business process management approach is
The Greener Fields Together effort will
used as the principal strategic framework
demonstrate the commitment farmers
for creating value with our customers.
are making toward ensuring a future
for food.
For more information, please visit
www.sureharvest.com
For more information, please visit
www.greenerfieldstogether.org
Verified Case Study: Grimmway Energy and Climate for California Farming Operations
June 2013
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