The Almond Project: An Award-Winning Initiative

It is with immense joy that we announce that “The Almond Project”, a project conceived and developed by Treehouse California Almonds and various partners, granted by the INC – International Nut and Dried Fruit Council, has won the “2023 Award for Excellence in Sustainability”.

The INC is globally recognized for representing the interests of the nut and dried fruit sector, promoting awareness of the benefits of consuming these products, as well as encouraging sustainable practices in the industry.

All award categories are deeply involved in initiatives that demonstrate a strong commitment to environmental management and social responsibility.

A Competition Where the Planet is the Biggest Winner

With 14 entries from 10 countries, the competition aimed to recognize sustainability-focused projects, and the award was divided into two important categories: “Back to the Planet” and “Back to the People”.

The “Planet” category recognized initiatives that show a strong dedication to environmental management. The “People” category, in turn, awarded projects demonstrating great commitment to social responsibility and community engagement.

Winners were chosen by a panel of experts and announced during the INC World Nut & Dried Fruit Congress, an annual event that brings together industry professionals from around the world to discuss trends, innovations, and best practices. This year, the event took place from May 8 to 10 in Vancouver, Canada.

The Award for Excellence in Sustainability, received by Treehouse California Almonds, is recognized for highlighting projects and companies that have made significant contributions to the environment and serve as inspiration in the field of sustainability.

This recognition celebrates our ongoing efforts and commitment to sustainability in almond cultivation.Born out of the great need to transform the cultivation of our almonds, The Almond Project is very important to us and always prioritizes soil health, water use efficiency, natural resource preservation, and ecosystem regeneration.

It’s About All of Us

We have always been attentive to agricultural communities to ensure that almonds continue to be an important sustainable food source for future generations.

Therefore, The Almond Project is a collaborative initiative that unites farmers, scientists, brands, technical service providers, processors, and retailers.

We must highlight the immense effort and dedication of our employees who work tirelessly to turn all our plans into important actions that help change the reality of our planet.

We are one big, united family!

More Information You Need to Know

Born in 2021, the purpose of The Almond Project is to work with full force and dedication on actions aimed at soil health in almond plantations in California, both organic and conventional.

To reach this level of excellence, we have dedicated five years to studying soil health in organic and conventional almond orchards in Kern County, California.

During this period, various practices were tested, including composting, cover crops, sheep integration, and reduced synthetic nitrogen applications.

The excellent results of these practices were measured in terms of water retention capacity, infiltration, carbon sequestration, and ecosystem biodiversity.

To know more, click here. 

And the Future Has Arrived…

In 2024, our coalition is growing, as are our projects.

Here’s what’s coming next:

Economic Modeling / Business Models:

We are exploring the economic viability of selling almonds at affordable prices that incentivize sustainable practices on farms.

Certification Testing:

We are investing in research and testing certification programs for “regenerative almonds” or “climate-beneficial almonds.”

Innovation Advisory Board:

We have formed a group of almond growers and specialists to explore biodiversity practices, efficient water use, carbon sequestration, and soil health.

Nutrient Density Testing:

We are comparing the nutrient density of almonds grown under different soil health practices.

And the Results?

New Industry Standard:

The project has set a new standard for cooperation among market competitors to evolve the industry.

Agricultural Research:

We have gained numerous insights into soil health practices and their effects on water infiltration and carbon sequestration.

Continuous Innovation:

The new scopes of work will continue to lead sustainability efforts in the almond industry.

Our Sincere Thanks

We are immensely grateful to all the partners and coalition members for their hard work and passion that make The Almond Project possible.

This award is a testament to what we can achieve together and a great incentive to continue leading the almond industry towards a more sustainable and resilient future.

We remain dedicated to our mission and are excited to see the continued positive impacts of our initiatives.

The Almond Project is, and will continue to be, an innovative force for sustainability in the almond industry.

Thank you to everyone who is part of this journey with us!