January 18, 2010, Oxnard, CA – Deardorff Family Farms today announced the introduction of its new Deardorff Organics Brand. The new label is a showcase of the company’s commitment to sustainability, expressed through organic farming and environmentally responsible and recyclable packaging. The Deardorff Organics brand offers retailers and wholesalers a diverse array of USDA Certified Organic offerings grown by Deardorff Family Farms all under a single brand.
“We are committed to sustainability and organics, and making sure that we apply that commitment from the farm all the way through to the end user,” said Tom Deardorff, II, President of Deardorff Family Farms. The company has had double-digit growth in organic sales the last three years. This year the company is experiencing a 5-fold expansion in volume and product diversity due to the attainment of certification on large organic ranches that are either owned or leased by the Deardorffs.
Deardorff Organics brand packaging materials have been selected for their commitment to resource and environmental sustainability. Corrugated materials feature International Paper’s ClimaSeries® wax-alternative products which are 100% recyclable. Cartons made of these materials enable Deardorff’s retail partners to completely recycle all Deardorff Organics’ corrugated packaging. Deardorff’s commitment to packaging sustainability provides double benefit to retailers in that they can reduce their overall tonnage sent to the landfills while also adding to their bottom line from the secondary market in recycled corrugated- a truly sustainable solution.
Celery and Lettuce bags feature the EPI specially modified plastic that assures a much faster and cleaner decomposition in the waste stream. Additionally, Deardorff sources plastics used for clamshells from manufacturers that assure a completely recycled materials supply chain, including post consumer recycled raw materials. The company also seeks out suppliers that have made an investment in alternative energy to power their packaging manufacturing. Returnable plastic containers (RPC’s) and re-useable hardwood pallets are also integral part of the Deardorff Family Farms supply chain.
Deardorff Family farms co- owner Scott Deardorff adds, “The core philosophy of our sustainability initiative is to continuously seek out ways to not over utilize or exploit one resource in order to produce another, in our case, food.”
Since 1937, the Deardorff family name has been synonymous with high quality fresh produce items and sustainable farming and business practices. Now in its fourth generation, Deardorff Family Farms continues this tradition with significant expansion of its organic product line.
The Deardorff Organics brand will feature the extensive list of organic commodities grown by the Deardorff Farming team. Organic celery, broccoli, Romaine, green leaf, red leaf, green cabbage, red cabbage, Napa, Bok Choy, baby Bok Choy, spinach, cilantro, collards, daikon, kale, parsley and many varieties of chards star in the current lineup. In the late winter/spring and summer, customers can expect to see strawberries, vine ripe Roma and specialty tomatoes, and other exciting and flavorful additions. Embracing the unique benefits of their region’s biodiversity, Deardorff presents a lineup of produce that represents the essence of the Flavors of Ventura County.
The Deardorff Organics label offers a clean, modern and classic look. The label’s merchandising features give retailers a broad lineup of the freshest, raw produce and a complete display solution. From stem tags to bunch ties and bags, the Deardorff Organics line engages customers with information about the people and farms that produce the food they love.
More information about all of the products, packaging, and the company’s sustainability initiatives are available on its website www.deardorfffamilyfarms.com. For those interested in staying current with the latest crop updates and news from Deardorff Family Farms, the company encourages its customers and friends to visit its Facebook home @ facebook.com/deardorfffamilyfarms Deardorff Organics marks an important step in the ongoing evolution of one of the Produce Industry’s most reliable and innovative family farming companies. Deardorff Family Farms is owned and operated by Tom Deardorff, II and Scott Deardorff. Their products are all shipped from Oxnard, California.
Source: Deardorff Family Farms
