TARRYTOWN, N.Y. — SUNRAYS mandarins have been independently certified Sustainably Grown by SCS Global Services, according to fourth-generation, family-owned and -operated importer Jac. Vandenberg.

“We are proud to work with Jac. Vandenberg and their SUNRAYS growers, who value healthy and sustainable farming practices,” said Kevin Warner, SCS Global Services director of ESG certifications for the food and agriculture sector. “The Forbel team exceeded our expectations in meeting the stringent requirements of our standard, setting an important precedent in the Uruguayan fresh produce industry.”

This milestone achievement makes Forbel and Peruvian grower Pampa Baja the first Sustainably Grown certified citrus growers worldwide, Vandenberg said.

“Collaborations and partnerships are critical to turning ideas into actions, and this achievement by our grower partners is a testament to that,” said John Paap, sustainability manager at Jac. Vandenberg. “We are proud to be working with the teams at Forbel and Pampa Baja who share the same deep passion for sustainability and the protection of our species. Their commitment to sustainability is now verified by their achievement of becoming the first citrus growers in the world to earn Sustainably Grown certification.”

“It has been a challenging and demanding process for the entire Forbel team, but the satisfaction is immense due to the success achieved,” said Malena Miglionico, operations manager, product & certifications at Forbel. “This accomplishment reinforces the company's commitment to implement sustainability practices: economically viable, socially beneficial, and environmentally respectful.”

According to Vandenberg, the first Sustainably Grown SUNRAYS mandarins will ship to United States retailers in the summer of 2024, to be marketed as a “snack with impact.”

“The world as we know it is changing rapidly, putting the security of people and other species increasingly at risk,” Paap said. “As the global climate becomes ever more unstable and erratic, our industry has seen firsthand the impact this has had on our supply chain. At Vandenberg, nature has a prominent seat at the decision table. We take the current state of our planet and species extremely seriously, and that shows in everything we’ve been doing over the last decade, from our innovations in packaging to sustainable farming initiatives and participation in shaping industry practices and standards around sustainability. We all want to contribute to a better future. Offering visibility into the important work going on behind the scenes allows our consumers to participate and be a part of that positive impact.”