Sustainability Practices
Orchard Management
Our orchards embrace innovative practices to reduce environmental impact while maintaining crop quality. Climate-smart such as orchard netting provide natural cooling and shade, minimizing sunburn and reducing reliance on water-intensive cooling sprays. Trellis growing systems boost light interception and yields, improving harvest efficiency, allows us to plant more trees per acre, conserves water, and supports better fruit quality all season long.
Through advanced monitoring and filtration systems, and the transition from traditional sprayers to water-saving mist foggers, we continue to find solutions to conserve resources.
Integrated Pest Management
We reduce chemical use by employing precise, environmentally conscious pest management. Our Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach uses tools like pest tents, drones and pest tents. Drones are used for scouting for pests, scaring birds out of the orchards, and releasing live predator insects. Precision sprayer technology, ensures spray is applied only where needed, detecting gaps and adjusting for bloom density to optimize treatment.
Bees are critical, so we concentrate our efforts around keeping pollinators protected as much as possible.
Energy & Technology Usage
Our warehouse facilities incorporate natural lighting features, including windows and skylights, that reduce energy consumption while providing a brighter, more comfortable work environment for our teams—an approach that is uncommon in traditional warehouse settings.
Warehouse facilities employ advanced technologies to reduce food waste and improve operational efficiency. Fruit passes through a high-speed imaging system capturing dozens of photos per second to evaluate quality and route each piece to the appropriate destination. These infrared scans further enhance quality control by detecting fruit defects, helping to reduce shrink and maintain high standards. We also utilize robotic palletizing systems, automating a task that was physically demanding and potentially dangerous.
Located in the Pacific Northwest along the Columbia River, our operations benefit from one of the largest hydroelectric power systems in the country. More than 60 dams along the river supply the region with over 80% hydroelectric energy, substantially lowering our carbon emissions.
Organic Production
Daisy Girl Organics® is CMI Orchards’ flagship organic program, representing certified organic apples, pears, and cherries grown with integrity and care. Each piece of fruit is a reflection of our commitment to sustainability and is grown using environmentally responsible practices that support soil health, protect pollinators, and reduce the use of synthetic inputs.
Community Involvement
Our commitment to community is rooted in our core values of service, compassion, and community engagement.
We actively invest in local and national initiatives that uplift veterans, families, youth, and those facing food insecurity, while also promoting education, wellness, and environmental stewardship. Through partnerships with organizations such as Feeding America, Operation Homefront, Seattle Children’s Hospital, The Washington Apple Education Foundation, NCW Beekeepers Association, local youth sports programs, schools, and food banks, we are committed to making a meaningful impact where we live and work.
Shipping Logistics
We have streamlined logistics with our EagleForce™ division, bringing transportation and logistics services in-house to better serve our customers. Load consolidation cuts down on trips, lowering emissions and operational costs. Cross-docking services move outside product directly from point A to point B, avoiding time-wasting detours. Reduced empty miles and strong on-road visibility keep logistics moving with precision and ease
Packaging
We are committed to reducing our environmental impact through smarter, more sustainable packaging solutions. We prioritize minimalist designs that use recyclable, compostable, and reusable materials, many of which are sourced from certified sustainable programs like the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI). In a major step toward reducing our environmental impact, CMI now uses 100% LDPE #4 recyclable plastic for all plastic packaging. We're embracing innovative, eco-friendly materials, to deliver exceptional fruit with a lighter footprint.