SACRAMENTO, CA – MARCH 13, 2026 – Leadership from DFA of California and the International Nut and Dried Fruit Council (INC) recently met to formally solidify their partnership in support of the INC Sustainability Certification program, reinforcing a shared commitment to advancing responsible practices across the global tree nut and dried fruit industry.
Board members and senior representatives from both organizations participated in the meeting, which focused on strengthening collaboration, aligning industry priorities, and gathering feedback from key stakeholders. The discussions emphasized the importance of transparency, measurable environmental, social and governance (ESG) excellence, and continuous improvement throughout the supply chain.
“The future of our industry depends on collaboration and shared standards,” said Brendan O’ Donnell, President & CEO of DFA of California. “By partnering with the International Nut and Dried Fruit Council, we are reinforcing our commitment to credible sustainability practices that strengthen trust with customers and support the long-term success of tree nut producers.”
INC Executive Director, Goretti Guasch added “As the global representative of the nut and dried fruit industry, the INC is committed to advancing sustainable growth. Developed by the industry for the industry, the INC Sustainability Certification addresses the unique realities of our sector, and partnerships like this with DFA of California are key to ensuring its credibility and impact.”
As part of the meeting, leadership from DFA of California and INC formally signed a partnership agreement recognizing DFA of California’s auditing group, Safe Food Certifications, as official auditing partners for the INC Sustainability Certification. The signing marked an important milestone in the organizations’ ongoing efforts to promote and recognize sustainability within the industry.
The gathering also created an opportunity for meaningful dialogue among board members and stakeholders, who provided feedback and insights intended to help guide the continued evolution and implementation of the program.
Following the signing, representatives from both organizations commemorated the partnership with a ceremonial handshake and plaque unveiling, recognizing the moment as a significant step forward in strengthening industry collaboration around sustainability.
Leaders from both groups described the meeting as productive and forward-looking, highlighting the value of global cooperation in addressing emerging environmental and operational challenges facing agriculture.
Through this partnership, DFA of California and INC reaffirm their commitment to supporting growers, processors, manufacturers, and global trade specialists in demonstrating responsible agricultural practices and advancing sustainability initiatives that benefit both the industry and the communities it serves.
About DFA of California
DFA of California is a nonprofit, member-based organization, representing California’s specialty crop industry and supporting the growers, processors, and exporters who produce many of the state’s most important agricultural products. For more than a century, DFA of California has helped the industry maintain high standards of quality, safety, and regulatory compliance. DFA provides commodity inspection services, industry education, and technical resources, and hosts the annual Safe Food California Conference, one of the state’s leading gatherings for food safety professionals in the tree nut, dried fruit, and specialty crop sectors.
About the INC
The International Nut and Dried Fruit Council (INC) is a nonprofit, member-based organization that serves as the leading voice of the global nut and dried fruit industry. Founded in 1983, the INC brings together more than 950 member companies across 85 countries, representing 85% of the world’s nut and dried fruit trade. Through global initiatives in health research, sustainability, industry collaboration, and international events, the INC drives the sustainable growth of the industry while promoting the health benefits and natural goodness of nuts and dried fruit.
