Ethical sourcing practices:
Natural Delights is a vertically integrated operation. That means we take responsibility for every aspect of growing and packaging — from the ground to the sky: farming, sourcing, packing and global distribution. It all starts in the Desert Southwest, where we recognize the importance of responsibly managing water, soil, and biodiversity.
We’re committed to protecting and improving these resources through efficient water use, soil health management and environmentally responsible practices that support long-term agricultural productivity.
We’re equally committed to fostering a safe, respectful and healthy work environment for our employees — they’re family to us. And our success depends on the people who grow, handle and deliver our products.
We actively seek and collaborate with business partners who share our commitment to sustainability, transparency and ethical practices. Together, we aim to deliver products that not only meet the expectations of our customers worldwide but also contribute positively to the environment and the communities we serve.
Recognition and Endorsements — our sustainability efforts are recognized by all these groups:
Our packaging materials:
The plastic we use to pack our dates fit into these categories: a). Recyclable material, and b). Contains Post-Consumer Recyclable material (using Post-Consumer Recyclable material reduces the use of virgin plastic). Every year, approximately 100 Metric tons of CO2 emissions are avoided through the use of this recyclable material and 50% of the material is made from post-consumer recyclable PET1 plastic.
Our cartons and boxes are sourced from suppliers that support forest conservation and prevent deforestation. (Example: Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI)). We estimate nearly 70+ metric tons of CO2 emissions are kept out of the atmosphere each year by using this recyclable material.
Our use of natural resources:
Our source of irrigation for all our farmland is the Colorado River. A few interesting facts:
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All our farmland is treated following organic farming practices — no conventional pesticides are used.
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All farmland is certified GlobalGAP — this certification requires an Integrated Pest Management program (IPM). Implementing IPM creates habitat that does not affect natural pollinators.
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Irrigation water for our farms is managed by Water Districts. There is a predetermined amount of water allowed for each acre of land. All Natural Delights farms implement efficient irrigation methods that result in utilizing on average, 75% of our allocated water — meaning we save, on average, 25% every year.
In addition to all of the above:
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Our tree trimmings are turned into mulch (a natural fertilizer that helps keep moisture in the soil).
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Our ripening facilities are warmed by thermal energy from the sun (putting less pressure on electricity grids).
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All of our clear packaging is recyclable.
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Drip irrigation is used on more than 2,200 acres to conserve water (the desert is the ultimate drought-survivor).
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Natural Delights are glyphosate free.
