Over the past month, the Measure to Improve team has supported clients preparing for Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), continued implementing the USDA Advancing Markets for Producers (AMP) Grant, and participated in conversations at both the Agri-Pulse Food & Ag Issues Summit and the Salinas Biological Summit.

Across the produce industry, growers are adopting new technologies, improving irrigation practices, implementing conservation measures, exploring biological products, collecting better data, and finding new ways to strengthen their operations. Researchers continue to advance the science. Industry is developing new tools. Policymakers are investing in the future of agriculture. Retailers are asking important questions about resilience, transparency, and long-term supply security.

The 2026 Salinas Biological Summit brought together growers, researchers, biological companies, retailers, regulators, and industry leaders to discuss the future of biologicals and their role in agriculture. Conversations covered biological crop protection, Integrated Pest Management (IPM), retailer expectations, consumer perceptions, and on-farm adoption.

The Agri-Pulse Food & Ag Issues Summit brought together policymakers, industry leaders, growers, researchers, and agricultural organizations to discuss the forces shaping the future of agriculture. Rather than focusing on individual production practices, the conversations centered on the broader economic, regulatory, and policy landscape influencing agriculture today.

Water continues to be one of the most significant challenges that California walnut growers face. Changing weather patterns and evolving regulations can affect water availability from year to year, requiring growers to adapt while maintaining yield, quality, and profitability.

What a busy month it has been in the world of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). Between California’s reporting deadline, ongoing discussions around producer responsibility, and growing questions about packaging data and compliance obligations, one thing is clear: EPR is no longer a future issue. It is here today.

Measure to Improve (MTI), a Salinas-based sustainability consulting firm solely focused on serving the fresh produce industry since 2014, is helping fresh produce companies prepare for the increasing number of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) packaging laws emerging across the United States.

Visiting growers in Washington State reveal what regenerative agriculture, conservation practices, and long-term stewardship actually look like across orchard operations today.

Across the fresh produce industry, many companies are taking the fastest and least expensive path possible to respond and remain compliant with retailer sustainability requests and evolving regulatory requirements.

Between labor challenges, rising input costs and operational and financial pressures, and lean internal teams, companies are stretched thin and being asked to manage more with fewer resources. But reactive compliance can cause problems for your business in the long-term.

Across the fresh produce industry, sustainability is not becoming simpler. Expectations, requirements, and priorities continue to shift, and signals are mixed. In this issue of Fresh Picks & Sustainability Tips, we highlight what’s changing, what to focus on, and how to move forward without overbuilding or wasting time, including the latest on EPR, the USDA AMP project, and how building soil health is key to gaining a competitive advantage.

Fresh produce growers face complex new rules for greenhouse gas reporting and extended producer responsibility as state deadlines loom.

In this feature article from The Packer, Measure to Improve outlines new measures to demystify these shifting regulatory requirements.

Dive into regenerative agriculture with the Fresh Takes on Tech Podcast and host Vonnie Estes as she explores the USDA's Advancing Markets for Producers (AMP) program. Measure to Improve CEO, Nikki Cossio, and Director of Agronomic Services, Kyle Cosgrove, discuss the importance of implementing sustainable practices on farms, the challenges growers face, and how AMP bridges the gap between farm practices and market recognition.

Soil health has moved beyond conservation conversation, it's now a core business consideration for growers across the produce industry. From diverse cover crop mixes that have slashed pesticide applications to sheep grazing integration that quadruples nutrient cycling, the takeaway is clear: the operations building integrated soil health systems today aren't just farming more sustainably, they're building a durable competitive advantage.

As of March 31, the California Walnut Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) survey is officially underway. For the California walnut industry, this represents a critical step toward building the kind of data-backed sustainability story that buyers and markets increasingly expect. Learn more about what the LCA means for the industry and why it matters now.

The end of 2025 and the start of 2026 have been busy across the fresh produce industry, with a lot of activity around sustainability reporting, packaging regulations, and new program requirements. As reporting requests become more common and requirements become more defined, having the right structure in place makes a big difference. Read more about two new solutions we’re offering at MTI to support producers navigate increasing EPR and greenhouse gas emissions reporting requirements.

The USDA Climate-Smart Commodities initiative has returned, now restructured as the Advancing Markets for

Producers (AMP) Project. The program supports growers who want to implement conservation practices but need financial support,

technical guidance, and a practical way to document their efforts. Learn what the AMP Project is, why it matters, and what’s next for growers.

At Measure to Improve, we’re pleased to announce two new solutions to further support sustainability in the fresh produce industry around GHG reporting & EPR compliance.

This rolling calendar highlights some of the best sustainability events, conferences, and workshops tailored to the fresh produce sector. 

This month’s update looks back on reporting season and lessons learned to make the year ahead smoother, new information on SB 253 and SB 261, and upcoming events across the produce industry.

Sustainability reporting has become an integral part of doing business in the produce industry but for many, it still feels like a rush to the finish line. Every year reporting season reveals both the challenges and the opportunities within sustainability compliance. Now, while the experience is fresh, is the perfect time to assess what worked, what didn’t, and how to make next year’s process more strategic, efficient, and valuable for your business.