Sustainability

conventional farming practices perfected over generations.

In Our Fields

Growers use integrated pest management (IPM) practices, soil testing and precision agriculture techniques such as field monitoring with drones and scouting, fertigation (4R), and moisture meters in the field to reduce pesticides, fertilizers, and water inputs to promote healthy soils and ensure all the right resources are directed to the right place at the right time at the right rate. We use bumblebees and honey bees because they work at different times and in different weather conditions so we always have excellent pollination leading to sweet fruit for you.

Growers maintain wooded and grassy areas around fields and forest lands nearby to encourage natural pollinator and wildlife habitats as well as bio-diversity. No-till farming, proper crop rotation and off-season cover crops reduces soil erosion and promotes beneficial insect habitats which keep plants healthy and may reduce pesticide needs. Water sources for irrigation and crop protection are closely managed and tested. Vines and watermelons that remain in the fields are re-incorporated into the soil to promote soil regeneration.

Growers lease and own land that has not recently been converted from forestry and participate in internal and external trainings to increase their farm’s capability to produce watermelons sustainably for years to come.

In Our Facilities

Our state-of-the-art, energy efficient sizing equipment allows us to pack fruit that is uniformly sized leading to happy customers, decreased quality issues and increased profits for the farmers. We utilize full truck load shipments so that the fuel costs associated with each watermelon are kept as low as possible. We monitor electricity, water, and fleet and forklift fuel usage in detail so we limit environmental impacts.

Cardboard bins and lids and wooden pallets used for packing and transportation are all made by our partners with long-standing and measured commitments to sustainability and post-consumer recycled (PCR) content. We even recycle some of our wash water by using it to irrigate grassy areas for hay production! Leger promotes pollinator habitats around our facilities by maintaining grassy areas and flower beds year round. Our giant fans and multiple cooling facilities reduce product spoilage and increase shelf life.

Watermelons that do not meet our high quality standards for consumption go back to our growers fields to build up soil organic content and tilth.

In Our People

Leger & Son, Inc., its growers and their labor agencies, are committed to developing an organizational culture that implements a policy of support for internationally-recognized human rights. We also seek to avoid complicity in human rights abuses. We have a documented Human Rights Policy and support the principles contained within the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) standards.

Each year, our facilities are observed and inspected by second-party and third-party social accountability auditors as so you can be sure your watermelon was planted, picked and packed by a happy worker that is paid a living wage, provided meal breaks and given rest days.

Every worker is provided comprehensive food, environmental, and workplace safety training in English and Spanish by qualified and caring trainers. We also provide education and signage on social responsibility topics items such as reporting grievances, anti-bribery, environmental protection and management, and business ethics. Workers are trained to communicate any current or potential issue immediately to us. During trainings, workers are paid for their time and provided with refreshment.

Leger and Son, Inc. is owned by a family with deep roots in agriculture. The second and third generation of the family is actively involved in farming, food safety, traceability and social responsibility initiatives including serving on state and national industry boards, including the National Watermelon Association and National Watermelon Promotion Board. Our management team also holds FSMA-recognized Produce Safety Rule Grower and Preventative Controls for Human Food and Internal HACCP Alliance Practitioner certifications.

In Our Community

We believe in being community stewards. Leger supplies various local markets and donate to festivals and interstate welcome centers which promotes growth for us and our farms. Our watermelons are also donated to food banks from each facility to help those in need receive a nutritious, fresh fruit addition to their diets.

Leger & Son is actively engaged in volunteering and hosting community events including: Cordele-Crisp Chamber of Commerce community business tours and Crisp County Young Farmer meetings.

We purchase bins and pallets used for packing and transportation from valued partners with long-standing commitments to sustainability and recycling. Each year, they provide use with metrics regarding their practices.

Our Facility & Fields

Sustainability Practices We're Proud Of

Growers use precision ag techniques such as field monitoring with drones, fertigation, and moisture meters in the field to reduce pesticides, fertilizers and water inputs to promote healthy soils.

At Leger, our focus is excellence, choosing quality over quantity. We control all aspects from seed to store. We strive to grow, pack and ship the safest, tastiest watermelons on the market.

Amazing people. Amazing products.

The people at Leger & Son work hard every day to bring the freshest watermelons to your store. We take pride in our work and in our traditions.