The standard includes sustainability metrics, which are becoming increasingly important to consumers, including measurement of economic stability for farmers, gender equality, and women's empowerment, as well as biodiversity conservation and regenerative farming practices.
The standard is currently being used in Vietnam, Indonesia, India and Brazil, and will soon be rolled out to other countries, said the company.
"Our teams have been actively working to advance our McCormick Grown for Good sustainability standard, and I'm excited about our progress to date. We are working with our suppliers and partners to showcase our shared dedication to advancing industry-wide accountability and performance in sustainability sourcing," said Lawrence E. Kurzius, Chairman, president and CEO of McCormick & Company.
The standard, according to the company, "goes above and beyond" criteria set by other farm-level sustainability certifications and takes a holistic approach. The farm-to-facility program includes additional requirements to increase resilience and empower women in the communities from which the company sources its raw materials.
The program is first addressing the company's top five iconic ingredients: black pepper, red pepper, vanilla, oregano and cinnamon. The Grown for Good standard will extend to the rest of its herbs and spices portfolio and other ingredients over time, said McCormick & Company.
Read more about the standard's basic criteria for suppliers HERE.
