Dole Food Company’s worldwide team of growers, packers, processors, shippers and employees is committed to consistently providing safe, high-quality fresh fruit, vegetables, and food products, while protecting the environment in which its products are grown and processed. Dole’s dedication to quality is a commitment solidly backed by: comprehensive programs for food safety, scientific crop protection programs, stringent quality control measures, state-of- the-art production and transportation technologies, continuous improvement through research and innovation, and dedication to the safety of our employees, communities and the environment. Dole is committed to nutrition education to communicate to the public the health benefits of eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables. Dole is a founding member of the National 5 A Day for Better Health Program and is a leader in developing technology-based nutrition education programs for children.
Mission
Dole Food Company, Inc. is committed to supply the consumer and our customers with the finest, high-quality products and to lead the industry in nutrition research and education.
Dole supports these goals with a corporate philosophy of adhering to the highest ethical conduct in all its business dealings, treatment of its employees, and social and environmental policies.
History
Founded in Hawaii in 1851, the Company built its reputation on its commitment to "quality, and quality, and quality." These were the words of James Drummond Dole's "Statement of Principles," upon which he founded and operated the Company. James Dole came to Hawaii with an initial investment of ,000, degrees in business and horticulture and a love of farming. With these, he began the first successful pineapple growing and canning operation, then called the Hawaiian Pineapple Company. Dole developed and grew the pineapple business into Hawaii's second largest industry. In achieving his goal of making pineapple available in every grocery store in the country, James Dole made the name "Hawaiian" almost synonymous with "pineapple." Considered an exotic fruit, the pineapple is the symbol of hospitality, and is often depicted on fine furniture. After Dole began an innovative campaign of advertising with recipes in ladies magazines, the popularity of the fruit increased and was sought by households throughout the U.S.
"James Dole made the name 'Hawaiian' almost synonymous with 'pineapple'"
The Company later merged with Castle & Cooke, Inc. (now a separate, privately held real estate and resorts concern) to include bananas and nearly every fresh fruit and vegetable grown in the world. The DOLE® brand name easily translated quality and nutrition to every fruit and vegetable the Company grew and sold.
Today, Dole Food Company's worldwide team of growers, packers, processors, shippers and employees is committed to consistently providing safe, high quality fruit, vegetables and food products, along with fresh cut flowers, while protecting the environment in which its products are grown and processed. James Dole's dedication to quality is still the company's top priority. It is a commitment solidly backed by comprehensive programs for food safety, stringent quality control measures, nutrition education programs, state-of-the-art production and transportation technologies, continuous improvement through research and innovation, scientific crop protection programs, and dedication to the safety of our workers, communities and the environment.
Philosophy
The DOLE brand means the finest, high-quality products. Dole will continue to meet customers' expectations by consistently providing products that meet the highest standard -- the Dole standard. For Dole, anything less is unacceptable.
Dole's dedication to quality is a worldwide commitment solidly backed by:
- Comprehensive programs for food safety.
- Scientific pest management programs.
- Stringent quality control measures.
- State-of-the-art production and transportation technologies.
- Nutrition education to help the public understand the benefits of eating 5-13 servings of fruits and vegetables a day. Dole is a founding member of the National 5 A Day For Better Health Program and is the produce industry leader in developing technology-based nutrition education programs for children.
- Continuous improvement through research and innovation.
- Dedication to the safety of our workers, communities and the environment.
