NatureSweet®, North America’s leading vertically integrated controlled environment agriculture (CEA) company and the number one brand of snacking tomatoes, has officially released its sixteenth annual Sustainability Report for fiscal year 2024. The comprehensive report outlines the company’s continued commitment to environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and sound governance (ESG) principles while showcasing measurable progress toward its mission of transforming the lives of agricultural workers across North America.
At its core, NatureSweet is not only focused on producing fresh, flavorful tomatoes, cucumbers, and sweet peppers, but also on creating meaningful social impact. The company has long believed that the true measure of success extends beyond profits or production volumes. Instead, its impact is reflected in how it empowers its associates, uplifts surrounding communities, and drives sustainability across its supply chain.
“Our greatest achievement isn’t just growing and selling the best-tasting produce,” said Rodolfo Spielmann, President and CEO of NatureSweet. “It’s knowing we are doing it in a way that gives each associate a real opportunity to transform their life. The 2024 Sustainability Report captures the extraordinary progress we’ve made by putting our associates and communities at the heart of everything we do. From access to education and fair wages to environmental conservation and community investment, this is how we create an impact that matters. And we’re just getting started.”
Expanding Access to Education
One of the most celebrated accomplishments of 2024 was NatureSweet’s progress in expanding education opportunities for agricultural workers. For many associates, formal education has historically been out of reach due to financial barriers or limited access in rural regions. NatureSweet stepped in to fill this gap by investing in adult education programs designed to help associates complete elementary, middle, and high school studies.
This year marked a historic milestone, as nearly 300 associates graduated with formal diplomas—the highest number of graduates in the company’s history. For these individuals, education is not only a personal achievement but also a catalyst for broader opportunities within and beyond the agricultural sector.
Building on this success, NatureSweet expanded its bachelor’s degree program, first launched in 2023. Already, the program is producing measurable results. More than half of the students from the first two cohorts earned promotions, showcasing how access to higher education can directly lead to professional advancement, stronger leadership pipelines, and enhanced productivity for the company as a whole.
Empowering the Workforce with Livable Wages and Skills Development
Education is just one piece of the puzzle. Empowering agricultural workers also means ensuring they are fairly compensated and equipped with skills to thrive in an evolving economy.
NatureSweet reported that more than 97% of its associates earned a livable wage in 2024, significantly exceeding legal minimums in Mexico and the U.S. By paying wages that reflect the real cost of living, the company helps improve food security, healthcare access, and overall quality of life for workers and their families.
The company also invested heavily in training and development, providing more than 55,000 hours of instruction across areas such as leadership, technical farming practices, and personal development. These initiatives reinforce NatureSweet’s belief that an empowered workforce is the foundation of long-term sustainability.
Progress on Environmental Sustainability
NatureSweet also reported measurable gains in its environmental sustainability agenda, advancing toward ambitious climate and resource-use goals.
- Carbon Reduction: The company cut its carbon intensity by 10.96%, an achievement that aligns with its long-term decarbonization targets.
- Water Efficiency: Water usage improved by 5.85%, reflecting the company’s investment in precision irrigation and other conservation technologies.
- Sustainable Packaging: Today, 82% of NatureSweet packaging contains recycled materials, significantly reducing the environmental impact of its widely distributed consumer products.
- Biodiversity Conservation: Beyond its farming operations, NatureSweet has taken steps to protect natural ecosystems, safeguarding over 50 hectares of biodiversity in Jalisco, Mexico.
These actions not only reduce the company’s environmental footprint but also demonstrate that commercial agriculture can coexist with ecological stewardship.
Strengthening Communities Through Fair Trade and CSR
NatureSweet’s sustainability mission extends into the communities where its associates live and work. The company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, combined with Fair Trade-certified practices, impacted more than 231,500 lives in 2024.
Through its Fair Trade program, NatureSweet invested $1.9 million USD in premium funds directly into local communities. These funds were used to improve housing, healthcare access, education, and infrastructure, ensuring that the benefits of agricultural success are shared broadly.
“Together, we are driving positive change, fostering dignity, and delivering lasting impact not only for families and communities but across the entire agricultural sector,” said Alejandra Rodríguez, Chief of Human Resources at NatureSweet. “By leading with purpose, we are setting a new standard for growing responsibly and transforming an industry from the inside out.”
