February 2008

Lundberg Family Farms is a family-owned-and-operated business in Richvale that produces and markets high-quality organic rice and rice products using environmentally friendly farming processes. Lundberg uses sustainable methods that protect the land and other natural resources for future generations, from the field to all aspects of production and marketing. This commitment to care and quality carries over into how the company treats its employees. That is why Lundberg is the winner of our 2007 Great California Workplaces Award in the for-profit category.

Lundberg's Family Focus

Albert and Francis Lundberg started Lundberg Family Farms in 1937. Today, the company, located south of Chico, has 180 employees, including 11 third-generation family members and a handful of fourth-generation family members. Turnover is low, and the average employee tenure is 8.28 years; 39 employees have more than 10 years of service and 18 employees have been with the company more than 20 years. Such longevity reflects the company's treatment of all of its employees as extensions of the Lundberg family, the company said.

Do the Right Thing

We spoke with Tim Schultz, vice president of administration, to find out what sets Lundberg apart from other employers as an outstanding place to work. Quite simply, he said, employees are proud to work for a company that has a 70-year tradition of upholding values of integrity, respect, continuous improvement, and teamwork in a changing environment. And a lot of satisfaction flows from being part of an organization that promotes healthy products and sustainability. Lundberg also maintains an open environment that encourages contributions from employees. Each month, the CEO meets with six to eight line staff to hear their concerns and ideas. At quarterly meetings, all employees have the opportunity to have management answer their questions. Company leaders have an open-door policy, and question and suggestion boxes are placed throughout the workplace.

Supporting Employees

Lundberg also offers employees valuable financial and personal benefits. Employees receive profit-based cash bonuses ranging from 4 to 11 percent of their pay, as well as contributions of 2 to 4 percent of their pay to a qualified profit-sharing plan. Despite being a rural employer, Lundberg offers employee compensation comparable to the higher pay employees typically receive in urban areas. Many benefits Lundberg provides have a health and wellness focus. Employees can take advantage of reduced-fee gym memberships, free flu shots and blood-pressure screening, and generous preventive care services through the company's health insurance plan. Lundberg also offers an employee assistance program that more than 40 percent of its workers use, and it runs a stretching exercise program during paid work time to help prevent work-related injuries. And, complimentary fruit and vegetables are available to encourage healthy eating.

Commitment to Training

Lundberg places a high value on continuing to develop its employees' skills. The company provides ongoing training programs and offers 100 percent tuition reimbursement. Lundberg has also partnered with a local community college to develop a supervisor training series and with a local state college to educate managers in strategic management systems. The company recently began an on-site program for employees who speak English as their second language and a conversational Spanish program for employees who are native English speakers.

Great Workplaces Runner-Up

The 2007 Great California Workplaces for-profit runner-up is La Costa Glen, a continuing care retirement community in Carlsbad (Southern California). La Costa Glen impressed our judges with its business growth model that places special focus on training for current employees and employee involvement to create a dynamic and warm work environment.