Sustainability

Wyman's and Sustainability Sustainability rests on the principle that the needs of the present must be met without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. Wyman’s core belief is that Economic Profitability without Environmental Health and Social & Economic Equity is not sustainable. Success at this, we believe, will be a process of continuous improvement in our stewardship of natural and human resources.

Stewarding Natural Resources means maintaining or enhancing for the long term the vital resources of soil, water and air. This vision extends beyond agriculture to include our processing plants, and our distribution and sales systems.

Stewarding Human Resources means protecting consumer health and safety now and in the future, assisting the needs of rural communities, maintaining/improving the welfare of our employees and assisting the success of the small farms that sell to Wyman’s.

Facts & Initiatives:

Chilean farmers who joined Sustainability program.

During 2007 Wyman's recycled 430,000 lbs of cardboard (+25% vs. 2006). Usage of metal strapping was reduced and 5,000 lbs were re-cycled. In addition Wyman's uses boxes with recycled content wherever possible. Recycled content in some boxes amounts to 65% of finished board weight.
During 2007 Wyman’s sponsored three hazardous waste recycling events in Chile. In total 970 Kg’s of material, 4,988 containers were returned from farms to recycling center in Santiago.
In 2006 Wyman’s launched a five year $150,000 initiative to train and compensate small Chilean raspberry farmers in sustainable farming practices. At a May 17, 2008 banquet Wyman’s presented 41 small Chilean farmers with cash award of $250-500 for complying with Wyman’s Sustainability farm program.
Wyman’s is a member of the Sustainable Food Lab, an international coalition of business, government and NGO’s dedicated to defining and solving the challenges of sustainability. To learn more visit www.sustainablefoodlab.org.

Wyman's in Summer 2007 launched a new marketing campaign in our core markets to build consumer awareness of sustainability and Wyman's commitment to it.
Wyman’s wild blueberry fields, called “barrens”, have demanded sustainable practices due to their thin sandy arid character. As a root system they are not tilled thus reducing serious erosion concerns. The fields are mowed in the fall and the woody carbon material is returned to the ground.
The wild blueberry industry has been successfully practicing Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for over 20 years.
During August 2008 Wyman’s will compost nearly all of its processing line shrink (2.0 million pounds of leaves, green & crushed berries etc). This composted material will be re-spread in the fall to the blueberry fields to assist in erosion control and to promote blueberry vine growth to bare spots.
Wyman’s irrigation system is supplied mostly through a network of storage impoundments, which capture water when it is in surplus. This reduces demand on rivers and the aquifer during drought periods.
Wyman’s has taken a leadership role nationally in the effort to help beekeepers solve Colony Collapse Disorder, the mysterious loss of honeybees that threatens many of our nation’s crops.
Wyman’s provided testimony in June 2008 before Congress in support of increased USDA funding and will contribute $50,000 directly this year to targeted University research. This contribution will be funded through sales of Wyman’s retail products during Fall/Winter 2008 so please
help Wyman’s help our bees.
Wyman’s Canada is a principal sponsor of the restoration of the Fullerton Marsh on Prince Edward Island. Fullerton Marsh is an environmentally important 33 acre freshwater wetland. Wyman’s has partnered with Ducks Unlimited Canada to fund the replacement of a 30 year old water control structure to protect the area as a nesting, brood rearing and staging area for waterfowl.
In 2007 Wyman’s was proud to have its sustainable practices audited and certified by SYSCO and the IPM Institute.
During Jan 2008 Wyman’s responded to the economic crisis in our community with a contribution of $100,000 to our hourly employees, retirees and the needy in the community for fuel and grocery assistance.
In our community for 2008 Wyman's continues to support the Women’s Health Resource Library, a new and innovative library in Milbridge, Maine serving all of Washington County with educational resources for women’s health issues. Wyman's also sponsors the Sunrise County Economic Council, Maine Sea Coast Mission and other critical organization in our rural community.
Wyman's has added fuel efficiency to its truck fleet by cutting fuel usage when idling. Switching over to a generator lowers fuel usage by 9/10's of a gallon per hour of idling time.