EFI launches ECIP Engagement 3.0

WASHINGTON, July 22, 2026 – The Ethical Charter Implementation Program, administered by Equitable Food Initiative BB #:385632 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. More information about the program can be found at ethicalcharterprogram.org.

About the Ethical Charter 

The Ethical Charter on Responsible Labor Practices provides an industry framework for accountability and transparency related to respect for laws at work, respect for professional conduct and respect for human rights in the production and purchase of fresh fruits, vegetables and flowers. It was adopted in 2018 by the Produce Marketing Association and the United Fresh Produce Association (now combined to form the International Fresh Produce Association) after a committee of suppliers and buyers defined the common baseline to ensure everyone in the industry is treated with dignity and respect. 

About ECIP LAB – Learn, Assess and Benchmark

ECIP LAB, an online platform designed by Equitable Food Initiative for growers, suppliers and buyers, creates engagement with and alignment to the principles of the Ethical Charter on Responsible Labor Practices throughout the produce supply chain. Suppliers and their growers are invited by their retail buyers to use this interactive tool to assess current practices and management systems, access resources and review information around best practices. An engagement profile tracks each grower’s and supplier’s ongoing interaction with the tool to encourage and support continuous improvement. Suppliers and their retail customers will see aggregated, anonymized data from their supply chain.

About Equitable Food Initiative

Equitable Food Initiative is a capacity-building and certification nonprofit that works to improve the lives of farmworkers and drive business performance by integrating worker engagement throughout the supply chain. As a multistakeholder organization, EFI brings together growers, farmworkers and retailers to create assessment, training and organizational development programs that support continuous improvement and address the industry’s most pressing challenges. Learn more at equitablefood.org.

Contact: LeAnne R. Ruzzamenti, (202) 524-0540, media@equitablefood.org