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National Exports Excellence Award
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Malena Quality Produce
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Quality Assurance
Malena Quality Produce is committed to quality assurance at all levels of their business and farming operations.
- Integrated Pest Management
Malena's farming operations minimize the use approved pesticides, introducing instead methods that are economically rewarding, culturally suitable, and environmentally acceptable. The result is high quality fresh vegetables. These practices, which have been in place for several years, meet or exceed the new and more stringent regulations for agricultural production.
- Biological Control Programs:
Malena uses "friendly" predators and pathogens. Malena develops and implements biological control programs to assure food safety, provide alternative pest control technologies, enhanced water quality and environmental stewardship.
- Third Party Certification Programs:
Malena Quality eggplant has achieved Scientific Certification Systems' Pesticide Residue Free™ certification during the 2001-2002 season. Eggplant and other produce grown by Malena Quality produce is sampled in the field and tested by SCS, an independent certifier based in Oakland, CA, and developer of the NutriClean certification program. Malena's highest priority is that vegetables shipped to the United States and Canada exceeds all EPA and CFIA standards.
- Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point:
Malena has developed a HACCP certification program with Scientific Certification Systems and Primus Labs to provide independent third party quality assurance including unannounced farm audits at various facilities. Malena quality assurance and other personnel have participated in Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point program training courses. Water and soil testing is conducted regularly to maximize production and efficiency. Since 1997 Malena has operated and maintained its own water treatment plant.
- Distribution and Traceability:
Malena's Quality Assurance personnel inspect each load to ensure that it meets or exceeds quality standards. This includes strict temperature monitoring of refrigerated trailers and the product upon arrival at the distribution center from the packing plant. Each pallet is "tagged" to allow for efficient tracking and traceability of shipments from the point of origin (ranch and lot numbers). Malena recently added a new fleet of refrigerated fifty-three foot trailers to further ensure food safety and the integrity of the "Cold Chain."
- Farm Worker Benefits:
Malena farming operations in Mexico adapted North American and European labor practices faster and more effectively than most other growers and has consistently worked to improve the quality of life for its valuable seasonal and full time field workers. Daycare is provided for their younger children, while elementary school age children attend classes in San Isidro. Preventive healthcare is provided at on-site medical and dental clinics. A nutritionist managed cafeteria feeds the San Isidro children well balanced, nutritious meals. Other benefits include comfortable housing and incentive programs for workers.
Malena Quality Produce has been growing and shipping produce from Mexico since 1953. The company is privately owned and maintains five modern packing plants in Northwest Mexico where growing conditions are ideal for winter vegetables. The company is committed to strict quality assurances, fair labor practices (healthcare/ daycare/ housing) independent food safety certification programs (Scientific Certifications Services/ NutriClean) and attracting strategic partners in Mexico and the U.S. who share the same core values.
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