SAI Platform and Field to Market Announce Equivalency Agreement for U.S. Commodity Farmers Utilizing the Fieldprint® Platform

Brussels, Washington — Thursday, March 2^nd 2017. The Sustainable Agriculture Initiative Platform (SAI Platform) and Field to Market: The Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture announced today an equivalency agreement, which formally recognizes Field to Market’s Fieldprint Platform as an accepted means of fulfilling the requirements of SAI Platform’s Farm Sustainability Assessment (FSA).

A host of leading food and beverage companies will have an opportunity to streamline their agricultural supply chain data collection and sustainability assessment efforts through a collaboration between Field to Market and the Sustainable Agriculture Initiative Platform.

“The recognition of equivalency will allow U.S. commodity farmers utilizing the Fieldprint Platform to be recognized by SAI Platform if desired. The agreement creates greater efficiency for brands and retailers who wish to measure and assess the sustainability performance of their supply chains through greater alignment between our two programs,” said Rod Snyder, president of Field to Market.

Following a year-long benchmarking assessment, Field to Market and SAI Platform have determined that the Fieldprint Platform’s outcomes-based, metrics-driven approach to measuring environmental sustainability, when combined with the robust legal and regulatory framework required of U.S. commodity agriculture results in a framework that is equivalent to FSA Bronze. Participating farmers can earn their FSA Bronze equivalency by completing the Fieldprint Platform and confirming that they comply with all local, state and federal laws and regulations that are relevant for their farming operation. Furthermore, farmers can qualify for FSA Silver or FSA Gold by answering up to 14 additional questions contained in a one-page questionnaire jointly developed by Field to Market and SAI Platform.

In a memorandum of understanding, Field to Market and SAI Platform have agreed not only to formalize an equivalency for U.S. commodity farmers, but also to collaborate and increase the strategic use of their members’ resources through ongoing coordination of both organizations’ efforts.

“SAI Platform’s mission has been to develop sustainable agriculture through a continuous improvement process that allows for easy and flexible use by farmers worldwide,” said Peter-Erik Ywema, SAI Platform’s General Manager. “Our collaboration with Field to Market is an important step in this journey, leveraging the complementary natures of our organizations to better serve our members and push the industry forward. We hope that this MOU will be the start of a long and fruitful relationship.”

Media Contacts

SAI Platform:  Peter-Erik Ywema | General Manager | +31 (0)65 122 3350 

peywema@saiplatform.org  | Twitter: @SAIPlatform

Field to Market:Betsy Hickman | Vice President | +1 (202) 802-6477

bhickman@fieldtomarket.org | Twitter: @FieldtoMarket

Notes

About Field to Market

Field to Market: The Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture brings together a diverse group of grower organizations; agribusinesses; food, beverage, restaurant and retail companies; conservation groups; universities and public sector partners to focus on defining, measuring and advancing the sustainability of food, fiber and fuel production. Field to Market is comprised of 120 members representing all facets of the U.S. agricultural supply chain, with members employing more than 5 million people and representing combined revenues totaling over $1.5 trillion. For more information, visit www.fieldtomarket.org and follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/FieldtoMarket.

About SAI Platform

The Sustainable Agriculture Initiative Platform (SAI Platform) is a global food value platform enabling sustainable agriculture through member-driven pre-competitive collaboration. It aims to build knowledge about sustainable agriculture, and to support the development and implementation of sustainable agriculture practices throughout the food and drink value chain. SAI Platform counts over 80 members, who share the same view on sustainable agriculture seen as “the efficient production of safe, high quality agricultural products, in a way that protects and improves the natural environment, the social and economic conditions of farmers, their employees and local communities, and safeguards the health and welfare of all farmed species.” SAI Platform develops tools and guidance to support global and local sustainable sourcing and agricultural practices.