CMI Orchards launches new sustainability programme

CMI Orchards has launched a new sustainability initiative. It describes CMI Soars – Sustainable Orchards and Regenerative Solutions – as a bold, impact-oriented programme designed to advance sustainability and regenerative agriculture across the tree fruit industry.

“At CMI, sustainability isn’t an add-on, it’s at the core of how we grow, operate, and collaborate,” said president Bob Mast. “CMI Soars represents our commitment to measurable change, ensuring our orchards, partners, and communities can thrive for generations to come.”

According to the company, the programme is built around measurable action. It includes a comprehensive greenhouse gas inventory and annual sustainability report, the development and implementation of regenerative products and solutions, and transparency to empower both retailers and consumers with genuine information about CMI’s environmental efforts. It also emphasises continuous innovation to address the evolving needs of the fresh produce industry.

In the months ahead, CMI will begin sharing the projects developed under Soars, highlighting the practical ways regenerative practices are improving orchard health, boosting yields, and delivering nutrient-rich fruit to market, alongside an aggressive action plan with sustainable goals and emission-reduction targets.

The company said the new initiative will allow retailers to strengthen their supply chains through verified carbon credit inset purchases, reduce emissions throughout distribution networks, and engage environmentally conscious consumers with a compelling narrative.

“Transparency is critical. We know ‘regenerative’ can mean many things to many people, which is why we’re committed to sharing real data and clear goals that reflect the scope and depth of the work underway,” said Rochelle Bohm, VP of marketing at CMI Orchards.

“By working together with our retail partners, we can align with their own sustainability goals while delivering a story that resonates with today’s shoppers. One of the most exciting things we’ll be sharing soon is results of our extensive nutrient testing comparing traditionally grown fruit to those produced in our regeneratively enriched orchards. We know that environmental health is a tougher sell compared to human health – and we’re confident we’ll be able to share some highly marketable developments in this space very soon.”

Mast added: “With Soars, we’re opening clear retail pathways for regeneratively grown products. We’re not just growing fruit, we’re sharing the full story of how it’s grown, how it helps the planet, and why it matters. That’s where true change happens”.

To support the initiative, CMI Orchards has launched a dedicated landing page, www.cmisoars.com