Key Takeaways
- Dole Food Company (NYSE: DOLE) selected seven winning projects for the 2025-26 edition of Harvesting Dreams, its global employee-led innovation program, chosen from more than 25 submitted proposals.
- The projects will run in five countries — the United States, Guatemala, Honduras, Costa Rica and Ecuador — marking the first time a U.S.-based project has joined the program since its 2021 launch.
- Selected initiatives include a classroom nutrition program in the U.S., a public pharmacy system in Guatemala, a medical support system and watershed protection program in Honduras, weed management in Costa Rica’s pineapple operations, and a clean water access project in Ecuador.
- Nelson Montoya, President of Dole Fresh Fruit North America, said the projects represent measurable, lasting impact tied to the company’s Dole Way sustainability framework.
- Implementation begins in the second half of 2026, with all seven projects targeted for completion by December 2028.
Dole Food Company (NYSE: DOLE) announced on July 31 that it has picked seven winning projects for the 2025-26 edition of Harvesting Dreams, its global employee-led innovation program. Employee teams across Dole’s operations submitted more than 25 proposals this cycle, with the winning entries set for implementation in the United States, Guatemala, Honduras, Costa Rica and Ecuador.
Program Rooted in The Dole Way
Harvesting Dreams launched in 2021 under The Dole Way, the company’s sustainability framework built around three pillars: people, food and nature. The program invites employees in Dole’s growing and operating regions to propose projects aimed at creating change in the communities where the company works. This year’s edition marks the first time a project based in the United States has been included, expanding the initiative beyond its original Latin America focus.
Seven Projects Across Five Countries
The winning proposals cover a range of community and environmental needs. In the United States, the Bobby’s Classroom Connections project will bring nutrition education and volunteering support to a school community. Guatemala’s Integrated Public Pharmacy project aims to expand access to healthcare, while two Honduras projects — the AGROPOR Medical System and Our Water Sources, Our Future — will add on-site medical support and protect local watersheds. Costa Rica’s proposals focus on targeted weed management in pineapple operations and housing and volunteering support through the With You at Home initiative. In Ecuador, the Clean Water Access project will expand safe drinking water for the La Victoria community.
Dole Leadership on the Results
“Harvesting Dreams works because it starts with our own people, the teams who understand our farms, our ports, our facilities, our processes and communities best,” said Nelson Montoya, President of Dole Fresh Fruit North America. “These seven projects are not simply good ideas on paper. They are practical commitments to improve education, healthcare, resource protection and volunteer engagement in places where Dole lives and works.”
“Being selected as a Harvesting Dreams program winner is incredibly meaningful to me, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to be part of a program that supports growth, learning, and community impact,” said Sarah Marsh, Dole’s Director of Terminal Operations at the Port of San Diego.
Next Steps for the Program
Proposals went through a multi-stage review, starting with each country’s Sustainability Operating Committee before moving to a country Steering Committee and final approval from Dole’s Executive Sustainability Committee. Reviewers weighed expected impact, alignment with Dole’s sustainability goals, feasibility and risk management. Implementation is set to begin in the second half of 2026, with all seven projects targeted for completion by December 2028.
