The Quadruple Bottom Line
Broetje Orchards and its affiliates are faith-based organizations; non-denominational and ecumenical. We practice our faith in the work we do. By virtue of our faith, we naturally do business differently—dedicating ourselves to a way of conducting business that seeks to uphold the concept of the “quadruple bottom line,” where we balance people, profits, the planet and our organization’s purpose.
Key measures of our commitment are as follows:
1. Profit—ensuring lasting economic impact on our community
a.) Providing job security for employees through fair wages and benefits:
- Fair wages
- Year-round employment—by extending the growing season and our crop varieties.
- On-site, subsidized childcare.
- On-site, subsidized housing.
b.) Annual profit sharing—5% equal distribution of pre-tax profits distributed to all year-round employees; another 5% distributed through wage increases to all employees.
2. Planet—promoting careful stewardship of the environment
a.) Ensuring safe production practices that promote food and environmental safety.
- Safe Quality Food program in both orchard and warehouse.
- Seeking safer, more effective crop production tools.
b.) Promoting a reduce, reuse and recycle strategy with production inputs.
c.) Careful use and monitoring of our natural resources.
- Seeking efficient use of water and careful monitoring of its use.
- Seeking efficient use of energy and eco-friendly fuel alternatives.
3. People—giving back to society through employee programs and donations
a.) Providing family-friendly work policies.
- Limiting night shift so families can be home together.
- Limiting work hours per day.
- Accommodating parent involvement in school activities.
b.) Providing health care assistance (an on-site nurse practitioner and medical vans).
c.) Providing continuing education opportunities for employees and their family members.
d.) Donating at least 50% of pre-tax profits annually to:
- Vista Hermosa Foundation—for projects serving the most under-served communities in India, Mexico, Kenya, Haiti, the Dominican Republic and the U.S.A.
- World Vision donor advised fund.
- Jubilee Foundation—for support of local non-profits, including the Center for Sharing and the Jubilee Youth Ranch.
- Cherry Crop Committee recipients—for employee-designated projects.
4. Purpose— empowering employees to engage in our shared culture and ethics
a.) Employing a Servant Leadership Management Philosophy:
- Training management and staff in principles and practices of Servant Leadership: treating every employee as a whole person, with leadership potential within their families, in their communities, and in the workplace.
- Management Accountability: Management is evaluated by staff based on our core values— love, community, respect, compassion and purpose.
b.) Giving voice to employees as valued partners and promoting leadership development.
- Forming leadership teams (management team, crew leaders, crew reps and the Snake River Housing board, etc.
- Promoting from within.
c.) Giving opportunities to employees to learn philanthropic values and to engage in volunteer work:
