Our founders traveled the world in search of better ways to grow. So, at our core, taking care of the earth and taking care of people is not just what we do for a living... it’s who we are as a company.
At Lipman, we look at sustainability holistically. Our goal is to maximize the use of natural resources and minimize our overall carbon footprint – increasing output while decreasing input. It’s called precision agriculture. But, simply put, it means “doing more with less."
farming smarterSeeking ways to farm better and smarter, Lipman has consistently invested in the most up-to-date tools and technology. From computerized weather stations... to irrigation systems that are individualized at the plant level... to packinghouse machinery and equipment, processes are fully controlled through automation. On our farms, all inputs and outputs are tracked by computer – meaning that every seed and drop of water is accounted for (and ultimately used) to its fullest extent. Programs can be monitored from anywhere in the world where there is internet access.
Since 2005, Lipman has decreased fuel consumption per acre by 23.3% for diesel and 11.2% for gasoline.
80-120 million pounds/year of produce is repurposed as livestock feed.
Replacing outdated lighting fixtures, we cut energy consumption by 56% (1.9 million kWh/year). This reduced CO2 emissions by 1,232 tons annually.
100% of cardboard waste is recycled (300,000 pounds/week).
70% reduction in water consumption by using drip irrigation. A savings of 66 million gallons each year from Florida’s aquifer.
nothing wastefulLipman supports the opportunity to reduce waste by feeding the hungry, providing food for livestock, generating clean energy, and composting. This is a significant contribution, considering that 80 billion pounds of food waste is sent to U. S. landfills annually. Each year at Lipman, 80-120 million pounds of unused produce is repurposed as livestock feed. An additional 30,00-50,000 pounds is donated to food banks. In partnership with local engineering firms and universities, we are also exploring programs that will process off-grade tomatoes and convert them through anaerobic digestion into biogas (an alternative energy source) and effluent, which is considered a possible biofertilizer.
In the area of corporate social responsibility, Lipman has long exceeded required standards – going the extra mile to do right by our workers and their families. To us, “every job matters” is not just a catch phrase; it’s a testament to who we are. A socially accountable farm employer, Lipman houses 95% of our farmworkers and provides them with transportation to work at no cost to employees. And since 1975, we’ve offered daycare for families with children through the Head Start program. By maintaining our harvest workforce year-round, we provide a stable and secure environment, as well as opportunities for upward mobility.
We’ve long been committed to philanthropy and community service – a pledge that still remains strong even as the company enters its fourth generation. Our goal is to support organizations and programs that provide long-term solutions to real social issues – not only in areas where we operate, but also in the agriculture community as a whole. With that in mind, our owners have developed a focused giving program centered primarily on children, education, and hunger relief.
