The sun beat down on the back of Maria’s neck as she bent over the rows of tomatoes, picking the ripe ones and dropping them into her basket. She had been working in the fields since before dawn, and she was already exhausted. But she knew that she had to keep going, or she wouldn’t be able to make enough money to feed her family.
Maria is one of millions of agricultural workers in North America. These workers are essential to the food supply, but they often face difficult working conditions and low wages. They are also more likely to be injured or killed on the job than workers in other industries. Among the challenges that agricultural workers face in North America:
- Low wages: Agricultural workers are often paid very low wages, even though their work is essential to the food supply. In some cases, they are paid less than the minimum wage.
- Long hours: Agricultural workers often work long hours, sometimes up to 12 hours a day, 7 days a week. They may also be required to work overtime without pay.
- Dangerous working conditions: Agricultural workers are more likely to be injured or killed on the job than workers in other industries. This is because they often work with dangerous machinery and chemicals, and they are exposed to extreme weather conditions.
- Lack of access to healthcare: Agricultural workers often lack access to healthcare. This is because they may be undocumented immigrants, or they may not be able to afford health insurance.
- Discrimination: Agricultural workers often face discrimination from their employers and from other members of society. They may be denied housing or employment opportunities, and they may be subjected to verbal or physical abuse.
Despite these challenges, many agricultural workers are resilient and determined to provide for their families. They are an important part of the fabric of North American society, so it was helpful to learn more about them with the latest episode of The Caring Economy, with guest Rodolfo Spielmann, the President and CEO of NatureSweet.
Raising the Bar
Based in Texas, NatureSweet has established itself as a leading greenhouse-grown produce company, renowned for its delicious snacking tomatoes and an unwavering commitment to corporate social responsibility.
NatureSweet is not merely in the business of cultivating fruits and vegetables. The company carries a larger mission – to transform the lives of its agricultural workers across North America. With a workforce of over 6,000 people spread across five facilities in Mexico and one in Arizona, NatureSweet goes to great lengths to leave a positive impact on the communities it serves.
It would be an understatement to say that NatureSweet values its employees. The company pays its workers over double the minimum wage in Mexico and offers the opportunity to earn bonus compensation. Such initiatives set a gold standard for corporate social responsibility and demonstrate how businesses can excel while prioritizing their workforce.
Beyond generous compensation, Nature Sweet fosters an environment of continual learning and growth. They have made significant strides in reducing illiteracy rates by offering educational programming. This initiative enables their workers to earn elementary, middle, and high school diplomas, bolstering their skills and increasing their future opportunities. In addition, Nature Sweet provides access to mental health services and self-improvement programs covering a wide range of topics from human development to parenting and problem-solving.
As staunch supporters of corporate social responsibility, this episode compels us to learn from NatureSweet’s inspiring journey and envision a world where businesses not only thrive but also make a positive impact on society. In this spirit, we encourage listeners to share this episode within their network and colleagues to propagate the message of a caring, sustainable economy.
To fulfill its mission to treat workers right, NatureSweet:
- Pays workers more than double the minimum wage in Mexico. They earn almost 40% above the median wage of agricultural workers in Mexico and could earn up to 300% in bonus compensation. Employees have gone on to build homes, go on vacations, access private education and so much more.
- Reduced illiteracy rates within the company by providing educational programming so that workers can learn how to read and write, and earn their elementary, middle, and high school diplomas. By the end of 2023, more than 2,000 employees will have benefitted from the program. It’s been such a success that NatureSweet recently piloted a bachelor’s degree program, in which 30 employees will have the opportunity to earn their college degrees in agriculture.
- Supported an employee-run fund (known as the Fair-Trade Premium), that generates millions of dollars annually and supports community development initiatives such as improved education, access to quality health services, accommodations, development projects, and other basic services.
- Invests in their mental health by providing psychologists at each facility who offer 1-on-1 therapy sessions. They also have several months-long programs that teach self-improvement topics that range from human development to parenting, communication, and problem-solving.
An Inspired Leader
Rodolfo Spielmann was born and raised in Chile. He studied economics at the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile and then went on to earn a master’s degree in engineering there as well.
After graduating Spielmann earned leadership positions in organizations and categories across diverse geographies, from North America to Europe. Among the global consumer products companies he helped succeed are Procter & Gamble, Heinz, Mars, and Del Monte. In 2019, he was appointed CEO of Nature Sweet.
“Rodolfo brings strong passion and depth of experience to his new role as the leader of Nature Sweet, as both people and business builder,” Bryant Ambelang, Nature Sweet executive chairman, said at the time of Spielmann’s appointment.
During our interview, Spielmann illuminated Nature Sweet’s journey towards social responsibility, providing listeners with an insider’s perspective of the company’s path to success. He further discussed the palpable positive impact of their initiatives on both the company and its employees.
Under Spielmann’s leadership, Nature Sweet has become a leader in the sustainable food movement. The company has been recognized for its commitment to social responsibility, including its work to improve the lives of agricultural workers.
In a testament to their determination to do right, Nature Sweet boasts a trifecta of certifications. The company is Fair Trade Certified, Equitable Food Initiative (EFI) Certified, and recently earned B Corp Certification, becoming the world’s largest controlled environment agriculture (CEA) company to achieve such recognition.
Our conversation with Rodolfo Spielmann sheds light on Nature Sweet’s significant contributions to the sustainable food movement and paints a picture of the company’s vision for the future.
Nature Sweet’s programs have been so successful that the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) highlighted the company in a Sustainability Case Study. It’s also been a hit with employees: Nature Sweet has a monthly turnover rate of just 1%.
Nature Sweet’s story is a shining beacon of inspiration, revealing that the symbiosis of social responsibility and business success isn’t just possible but also remarkably fruitful. Join us in this enlightening conversation and explore the transformative power of a caring economy.
As with all guests on The Caring Economy, Rodolfo Spielmann exemplifies how leaders with purpose-driven lives and careers are shaping our contemporary lives for the better. He also demonstrates bridging leadership – bringing people together when the times and news cycles too often push us apart.
