Product Certification
Fresh Produce Program
The Fair Trade Fresh Produce program began in 2004 with the launch of Fair Trade bananas, pineapples, grapes and mangos. Since the onset of the program, Fair Trade has helped produce farmers and family farmers participate in long-term, stable relationships that support a dependable living for farmers and their families, which in turn allows them to provide a reliable, Fair Trade product for the industry. A wide variety of fruits and vegetables, including fruit juices, fruit purees, and dried fruit and vegetables, are eligible for Fair Trade certification. The list includes, but is not limited to, bananas, mangos, oranges, pineapples, avocados, beans, bell peppers, peas and sweet potatoes. These products can be sourced from 152 farming organizations across Ecuador, Peru, Dominican Republic, Costa Rica and Colombia, South Africa, Haiti, Mexico and Chile. As of 2010 there are also 199 new applicants. Since launching the Fair Trade Certified banana program in 2004, over 100 million pounds of bananas have been imported and sold in the United States. The result is over $2.8 million dollars in community development funding for farmers and workers to reinvest in their communities and lives.
Featured Producer
El Antojo - Plantaciones Churido Finca El Antojo
Plantaciones Churido Ltda Finca El Antojo (El Antojo) has been a banana plantation since 1992. El Antojo workers’ greatest challenges are securing ownership of a safe place of residence, and completing their education.
How Fair Trade Has Made a Difference
El Antojo allocates Fair Trade premiums for a low interest loan program to finance the purchase of a new house, to cover costs of improvement to current residences, or to secure legal deeds on current property.
Importers
How to Import Fair Trade Fresh Produce
- Sign a Fair Trade USA certification and licensing agreement.
- Purchase Fair Trade Certified produce from Fair Trade producer groups or exporters certified by FLO-Cert. Sell Fair Trade Certified produce to other Fair Trade registered traders and operators.
- Pay at least the Fair Trade minimum price and the designated Fair Trade premium to the certified cooperative--see the FLO Pricing Database at http://www.fairtrade.net/793.html
- Submit quarterly reports to Fair Trade USA on Fair Trade Certified imports and sales. Undergo, and comply with, regular desk audits and on-site audits.
- Contact TransFair USA-licensed importers.
- If you would like to source Fair Trade Certified produce through your current supplier who is not yet licensed, have your supplier contact Fair Trade USA to become licensed and begin sourcing Fair Trade Certified produce.
- Contact Fair Trade USA directly for assistance in sourcing and promoting Fair Trade Certified produce.
