Food Alliance launches three tools for greenhouse producers

The Food Alliance (FA), a national non-profit and experienced certifier of sustainability claims in agriculture, launched three tools for greenhouse and nursery producers who are committed to managing for operational, environmental, and social excellence. The three tools are: FA Sustainability Standard for Nursery and Greenhouse Production, FA Sustainability Evaluation Tool and the FA Sustainability Certification Program.

The FA Sustainability Standard for Nursery Greenhouse Production was developed by industry request and covers resource conservation, integrated pest management, safe and fair working conditions and wildlife habitat and biodiversity conservation. It provides a comprehensive definition to guide nursery and greenhouse operations in achieving greater sustainability. The FA Sustainability Evaluation Tool allows growers to self-assess current sustainability performance, while the voluntary FA Sustainability Certification Program gives producers a credible way to distinguish their sustainably managed operation and products in the marketplace.

The FA Sustainability Standard for Nursery and Greenhouse applies to all ornamental plant producers across North America, including field, container, and greenhouse production. Industry stakeholders were involved from the onset. Producers in the Pacific Northwest may further differentiate their operations by concurrently verifying compliance with Salmon-Safe (www.salmonsafe.org), which protects water quality and the spawning habitat of native salmon.

The FA Sustainability Standard for Nursery and Greenhouse Production was developed with input from industry stakeholders including land grant colleges, researchers, extension specialists, industry organizations, and production specialists. Funding has been provided by Meyer Memorial Trust, the Bullitt Foundation, the Nike Employee Grant Fund of The Oregon Community Foundation and a USDA Specialty Crops Grant. Salmon Safe participation was courtesy of an Oregon Governor’s Grant for the Environment.

For more information on the FA Sustainability Standard for Nursery and Greenhouse Production and the FA Sustainability Certification Program, visit www.foodalliance.org/nursery or email roberta@foodalliance.org.