In many production areas, Dole provides various medical programs, educational services, housing, home maintenance, schools, sports facilities, roads, hospitals and safe drinking water.

These are provided either directly, such as in Costa Rica, or indirectly through foundations, such as in Colombia and Ecuador.

Medical Programs

The health and social situations in the countries from which Dole sources its products vary greatly. In the less developed nations, Dole has implemented a series of health units and social programs to serve not only Dole employees, but also the communities in which they live. In most cases, these programs are developed in partnership with the local health authorities.

Dole’s contribution to improving the access to medical structures consists of:

• Building hospitals in highly populated areas
• Building health centers or dispensaries in areas where farms are concentrated
• Providing medical units to communities in remote areas

The structures provide the communities with the following services:

• Preventative exams for early detection of breast, uterine or prostate cancer
• Preventative medicine, such as inoculation programs against tetanus, hepatitis B, yellow fever or tuberculosis
• Check-up programs, such as eye exams
• Surgery, ranging from dental surgery in the mobile units to more arduous operations in our hospitals
• Laboratory analyses in hospitals
• Education programs, including disease prevention, nutrition and wellness or water treatment programs

Education Programs

As part of Dole’s commitment to social responsibility, Dole is active in developing education programs for workers’ families in areas lacking infrastructure or educational facilities. Dole funds school buildings, provides scholarships, makes book donations and offers other education-related materials.

Housing and Community Facilities Programs

As an active citizen in the community, Dole has set up a number of housing and community projects. Dole provides land and construction materials for workers to build family homes. To improve everyday living, the Company builds amenities such as banks, churches and sports centers.

Drinking Water

In order to improve health conditions among its workers, Dole cooperates with local authorities by providing financial support and construction aid to ensure an adequate sanitation infrastructure that guarantees a supply of clean drinking water.