This includes increasing sales from $620m to $715m for 15.3% growth, and donating more than $2.2m to nonprofit organisations dedicated to advancing organic food and farming—from community food banks to farmer initiatives to advocacy for mandatory labelling of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in food.
George Siemon, founding farmer of Organic Valley, said: “We measure our success against our mission. For us, that means keeping farmers on the land, being responsible stewards of the environment, and supporting rural communities.”
In terms of other tangible metrics for success, Organic Valley achieved sustainability and job creation goals in 2011, such as beginning installation of wind turbines to offset 100% of its distribution centre’s current electricity use, on-farm renewable energy projects and other sustainability initiatives, and undergoing a state of the art green-designed headquarters expansion in La Farge (US), that is expected to add 84 new jobs this year. In 2011 alone, the farmer-owned cooperative brought 79 new jobs to Vernon County, bringing total employees up to 620.
The past year also saw the launch of the latest of Organic Valley’s regional milks, New York Fresh, produced, bottled, distributed and sold right in the Empire State. Like its regional counterparts, New York Fresh milk ensures fewer miles from farm to table and supports local economies, including the 115 New York farm families that produce it. Organic Valley also launched the first organic flavoured half-and-half and soy creamers, providing an organic, fair-trade alternative to complement beverages and recipes.
Siemon continued: “It’s important as we start 2012 to support our farmers during these difficult supply times by increasing our farmer pay price. We recognise the challenge of high feed costs and it is a major issue.”
Including the March 2012 pay price increase, Organic Valley farmer-owners will earn an average national pay price of $30/cwt, which exceeds the average pay price for a conventional farmer by approximately $10. As a farmer-owned cooperative, Organic Valley has historically adjusted its pay price to meet the needs of and assure a fair livelihood for its members, the cooperative said.
Source: Organic Valley
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