Sydney Fairchild, marketing and compliance at Bridges Organic Produce, has proven herself to be an ECIP Super User. From her first interaction with ECIP LAB, she has been dedicated to helping Bridges’ growers adopt the system and use it as a tool for continuous improvement. Madelyn Edlin from the ECIP team had the opportunity to sit down with Sydney to learn more about what drives her success and gain insights from her expertise.
“I grew up in the produce industry. My parents even met while working at a local natural foods store. While my childhood exposure was mostly on the retail side, I also spent time at farms, orchards, and produce warehouses. During college, I interned in produce distribution and sales. Though I thought I’d end up in a different field, produce felt like a natural fit and a place where I could excel and make a difference.”
“I’m passionate about using grower education to address compliance requirements and best practices. Compliance is often seen as a necessary evil, but it’s truly a strategic advantage. It positively impacts workers’ lives, the environment, and the industry. At Bridges, we approach compliance as consultants, not customers. We educate growers on current needs and future trends, helping them stay ahead. This proactive approach ensures excellent returns for growers, advances the organic industry, and strengthens social responsibility standards.”
“ECIP has been transformative for us and our growers. All growers currently using ECIP also have certification-based social compliance programs, which are valuable. However, ECIP offers something unique: self-reflection and internal benchmarking. This helps us understand where growers see their programs excelling and where improvement is needed. For example, many growers feel confident in areas like wages and working hours but identify room for growth in management systems and continuous improvement. ECIP helps us guide them toward best practices, driving real change and helping Bridges reach our goal of being a leader across the board.”
“Our ECIP grower LAB represents over 80% of our product sales by weight. Retailers using the ECIP portal have demonstrated how it can influence purchasing decisions—a critical factor for growers navigating diverse customer requirements. For partners like Rico Farms and CalOre Produce, ECIP has helped cut through the noise and provide a clear, actionable framework for meeting retailer expectations. It’s a game-changer for aligning grower practices with market demands.”
“Absolutely. We plan to roll out ECIP to more grower partners, especially those without existing social responsibility certifications. To make this resource accessible, Bridges will cover the ECIP registration costs for these growers. Continuous improvement is essential, and ECIP is a key driver in the SR realm. Additionally, we’re excited to use ECIP to showcase our growers’ social responsibility commitments to retail partners.
“The connection between ECIP LAB and EFI certification has been another significant advantage. In 2024, Bridges earned our first EFI certificaion, and we value their comprehensive approach to social responsibility, worker empowerment, and food safety. The synergy between ECIP and EFI has allowed us to implement both programs seamlessly, further strengthening our commitment to advancing industry standards.”