Sustainability may be seen as an option for some companies but not for Jac. Vandenberg and its Sunrays® brand. Since 2014, Vandenberg has understood the importance of cultivating sustainability throughout its supply chain, and today they take a huge step forward in their sustainability commitment. Vandenberg’s first Peruvian grape grower-partners have achieved Sustainably Grown certification, the first Peruvian grapes successfully certified against the standard.  Sustainably Grown certification is administered by SCS Global Services, a pioneer and leader in sustainability standards and third-party certification for nearly four decades.

“We are incredibly excited for our Peruvian grower-partners on this momentous accomplishment,” says John Paap, Brand Manager at Jac. Vandenberg, Inc. “This is no easy achievement and it’s really a testament to the growers we partner with for our Sunrays brand. These aren’t just growers producing top-quality eating grapes; these are growers exercising the highest standards of sustainable farming practices that all in our industry can aspire to.”

Peruvian grape growers, Uvica and Agrolatina, are the very first Peruvian grape growers to achieve this certification. For Uvica, they couldn’t be more excited.

“It is a source of pride for us to be one of the first companies in Peru to have achieved this certification. It also means a great opportunity, since it allows us to strengthen our management systems in order to have continuous improvement in all our processes, with a focused view on the impact that we may have on our ecosystem,” says Frank Michell of Uvica.

At Agrolatina, this certification presents another tool for achieving the highest level of sustainability.

“Currently, we live in a changing world. Due to the effects of man's activity on earth, this has resulted in climate change and its effects. As a measure to combat climate change, Corporación Agrolatina seeks to be able to mitigate the impact that its activities may generate in the ecosystem, and has earned various certifications, among which is Sustainably Grown,” says Katherine Paredes Chuquiruna of Agrolatina. “For Corporación Agrolatina, Sustainably Grown and the other socio-environmental certifications represent a great tool when evaluating hazards and mitigating risks, all with the ultimate goal of achieving sustainability and demonstrating our commitment to the world.”

The Sustainably Grown standard is among the world’s foremost sustainable agriculture standards. It provides agricultural producers with a detailed roadmap to satisfy the growing market for sustainable products. Simultaneously, it provides customers with assurance that products meet environmental standards second to none, that farm workers and farm communities are protected and engaged, and that the farm is economically resilient.

“We see a lot of claims these days from different brands and companies about doing things sustainably, but rarely are they backed up or independently verified. With Sunrays we show the receipts. When we say we’re doing things sustainably, we’re serious and we now have the certification to back it up,” says Paap. “Transparency is everything, and it is important to us and our grower partners that the consumer understand that our claims are substantiated. With Sunrays you are getting the best quality, most sustainably sourced grapes in the world.”

“It is encouraging to see companies like Jac. Vandenberg integrate innovative, sustainable practices throughout their production and packaging operations,” said Kevin Warner, Director of ESG Certifications and Strategy in SCS Global Service’s Food and Agriculture Division. “Given the wide distribution of Sunrays brand grapes, more consumers than ever will be able to smile when they pick up this popular product, not just because the grapes taste good, but because of the careful efforts that went into producing them.  We look forward to evaluating more Sunrays vineyards.”

While not all Sunrays grapes will carry the Sustainably Grown seal this season, Sunrays grape growers are all actively in the process of achieving the Sustainably Grown certification.

In addition to its commitment to sustainability, Vandenberg continues to innovate in areas of transparency. Consumers and retailers alike will be excited to learn of a new interactive feature coming to Sunrays grape packaging this season. New packaging will include a QR code, unique to every SKU that will give the story and information behind that specific package of grapes. Consumers will be able to learn how and where their grapes were produced, pictures of the farm where the grapes came from, the carbon footprint of that package, how to properly dispose of the packaging, recipe inspirations for that particular grape and more!

“This is a real industry first for grapes,” says Paap. “We are giving the consumer full visibility of the bag or clamshell they pick up, so they can connect with it in ways they never could before. We want folks to engage more deeply with their purchase. Food is such an emotional experience – giving consumers a direct view into the story behind their purchase is really exciting. We are getting the consumer closer to the grower, establishing yet another layer of experience and relationship with their food.”

The Sunrays grape season restarts with the arrival of Peruvian grapes next month. For more information on securing your premium Sunrays grape program, contact sales@sunraysfruits.com or call 914-964-5900.

You may also visit Jac. Vandenberg at booth 2778 at the IFPA Global Product & Floral Show in Orlando later this month.

To learn more about the Sustainable Grown standard, visit https://www.scsglobalservices.com/services/sustainably-grown-certification