MEDIA RELEASE
Contact: LeAnne R. Ruzzamenti, (202) 524-0540, media@equitablefood.org
WASHINGTON, July 22, 2026 – The Ethical Charter Implementation Program, administered by Equitable Food Initiative with generous support from the Walmart Foundation, today announces the launch of Engagement 3.0. This Engagement Cycle supports and recognizes alignment with the Ethical Charter on Responsible Labor Practices and introduces new pathways that reward verified action, document continuous improvement, and strengthen collaboration across the fresh produce and floral supply chain.
ECIP’s Learn, Assess and Benchmark digital platform, which provides educational resources and self-assessment tools aligned with the Ethical Charter on Responsible Labor Practices, introduces several updates with Engagement 3.0. Shaped by participant feedback and the program’s commitment to continuous improvement, updates include expanded recognition for ethical recruitment, stronger verification of engagement activities, new planning tools and updated engagement criteria.
Suppliers generate engagement profiles through their activity with ECIP LAB by bringing their growers into the program and through their own self-assessment and learning. Supplier profiles are visible to retailers via the ECIP Buyer Dashboard, which helps buyers track progress toward alignment with the Ethical Charter and highlights the suppliers that are most actively supporting grower participation.
Engagement 3.0 encourages growers to assess their management systems and document improvement over time through the development of action plans and other verification options. These efforts help strengthen engagement profiles for both growers and suppliers.
“Engagement 3.0 represents the next evolution of ECIP’s commitment to helping the produce industry move beyond assessment and toward measurable action,” said Kenton Harmer, director of market-based impact for EFI. “This latest Engagement Cycle recognizes organizations that actively strengthen their labor management systems through verified action and continuous improvement. By expanding recognition for ethical recruitment and creating clearer pathways for engagement, we’re helping growers, suppliers and buyers work together to build a more transparent, resilient and responsible produce and floral supply chain.”
As growers and suppliers prepare for the new Engagement Cycle, they should keep the following key dates in mind:
July 22, 2026
- Engagement 3.0 launches.
- Buyer dashboards remain unchanged between July 22 and Sept. 15, allowing time for growers and suppliers to complete the updated self-assessments.
Sept. 15, 2026
- Buyer dashboards reopen with updated supplier engagement profiles based on the Engagement 3.0 criteria and grower and supplier activity since July 22.
October 1, 2026
- Deadline for suppliers to qualify for the 2027 ECIP Leadership Circle and receive an invitation to the 2027 Leadership Circle Celebration.
To learn more about Engagement 3.0 visit ethicalcharterprogram.org/engagement3
About ECIP
The Ethical Charter Implementation Program is a collaboration among retailers, grower-shippers and implementing organizations to recognize and strengthen engagement around labor practices in the fresh produce industry, highlight existing best-practice efforts and identify opportunities for continuous improvement. The program is built around self-assessment to avoid the burden of an additional audit. Through an assessment tool and capacity-building resources, it helps measure and strengthen alignment with the principles of the Ethical Charter on Responsible Labor Practices. Launched with initial funding from the Walmart Foundation and administered by Equitable Food Initiative, the program is overseen by an advisory group composed of leading buyers and suppliers and key stakeholders, including representatives from Bonduelle Fresh Americas, Costco Wholesale, Kroger, Mastronardi Produce, McDonald’s USA, Naturipe, Peterson Farms Family of Companies, Sam’s Club, Tanimura and Antle, Target, Taylor Farms and Walmart.