California Transparency in Supply Chains Act
It has always been important that materials used by Harris Freeman in our products are obtained through ethical and fair labor conditions. In general, Harris Freeman’s agricultural products are acquired from suppliers who ultimately source raw materials from small individual farms managed by family farmers. In all countries where we process products, our products are processed in facilities that are required to comply with existing local laws. In our processing facilities, employees are provided with fair wages, regular working hours, and a clean working environment.
Harris Freeman’s Supplier Code of Conduct makes clear our commitment to fair labor standards and helps ensure that we align ourselves with suppliers that share this commitment. This Code of Conduct states that vendors, suppliers and contractors who wish to conduct business with Harris Freeman are required to conform to certain principles and practices, such as the following:
- Compliance with applicable laws, including those pertinent to equal employment opportunities, wages and benefits, and worker and product safety.
- Fair employment practices, including those prohibiting child labor, prison or forced labor, or any form of indentured servitude with stipulations of fair working hours and compensation as well for a safe working environment.
- Ethical business conduct based on compliance with the law, avoidance of conflicts of interest, and respect for the environment.
We seek to ensure that quality, safety and employment standards are maintained throughout our supply chain.
Verification and audit of product supply chains
Harris Freeman conducts assessments of its food sourcing suppliers to ensure our product suppliers comply with our Code of Conduct. We haven’t typically used third parties to perform our audits but may do so in the future.
Contracting Practices
Harris Freeman’s Supplier Code of Conduct is embedded in our procurement practices (and thereby helps assure our procurement is free from slavery and human trafficking) by:
- Including references to the Code of Conduct in major request for quotations;
- Incorporating language in all supply agreements and contracts requiring suppliers to warrant compliance with the Code of Conduct and acknowledge that any known violation may result in immediate termination of any and all business;
- Requiring acknowledgment of the Code of Conduct as part of an all new suppliers onboarding process; and
- Issuing the latest Code of Conduct to our current supplier community and allowing access to a website that uploads any revisions in the future.
Internal accountability and staff training
It is important to Harris Freeman to be a good corporate citizen. Wherever we do business, our employees are required to comply with all applicable laws. We also offer a training program that provides appropriate employees with training on how to mitigate the risk of human trafficking and slavery.