BROADCASTS.com

b'

\\u201cOne of the big focuses of Fair Trade is the wellbeing of the workers.\\u201d

Iris Madrigal (9:12-9:15)

\\xa0

The Fair Trade movement is now more popular than ever, but what is it exactly and how can you, as a consumer, know that the Fair Trade products you purchased truly are helping improve the sustainability and development of our world?\\xa0

\\xa0

Iris Madrigal and her husband Alex who is the second-generation grower of Covilli Brand Organics, have owned and managed Covilli for 30 years. Covilli grows a wide variety of fresh produce products you love, like green beans, brussel sprouts, summer and winter squash, heirloom tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes, poblano peppers, anaheim peppers, jalapenos, serrano peppers and much more!

\\xa0

In 2015, the shipper and grower company became Fair Trade Certified from Fair Trade USA, a nonprofit. The Fair Trade certification process is lengthy and very detailed, much like the Organic certification process.

\\xa0

Fair Trade USA brought 3rd party service providers to review Covilli Brand Organics to make sure their fair employment processes are in place. Fair Trade USA has high standards for quality, sustainability, development and fair practices they look for. Everything from Covilli\\u2019s working environment, wages, safety measures, opportunities for their workers, worker compensation, contracts, employee well-being, social security, and other measures they put in place to provide their workers the best life and working conditions possible was under review.

\\xa0

\\u201c75% of our workforce returns year after year.\\u201d - Iris Madrigal (8:30-8:34)

\\xa0

Covilli Brand Organics is based in the Sonoran desert in Mexico (about five hours down from the U.S.-Mexican border), which, like most farms, is a very rural area. Many of Covilli\\u2019s employees are migrant workers, and thanks to the on-location housing Covilli provides, the workers are able to bring their entire family to stay. All housing must meet Fair Trade standards, for example, if a family of six is living with a worker, the house must accommodate that family\\u2019s size.\\xa0

\\xa0

Having a 75% year-over-year employee return rate is very high in the industry and an example of the exemplary conditions and opportunities Covilli provides their workers. They might see that number decrease (which is a good thing) in the upcoming years because of their onsite school for worker\\u2019s children. Many children grow up to enter into the farming workforce just like their parents, but with the education they\\u2019re being provided, kids are being presented with a wide array of opportunities.\\xa0

\\xa0

When you choose a Fair Trade product, there is a small premium (a few pennies at most) that is added on to each individual product. That premium goes directly to a premium fund which is owned by Covilli\\u2019s workers. The employees and farm workers own the premium fund\\u2019s bank account and through a democracy choose where the money goes.\\xa0

\\xa0

Iris and Alex do not have a vote in this premium as it\'s fully owned by the workforce and is monitored by a Fair Trade Committee to make sure the money is allotted in a way that meets Fair Trade USA\\u2019s standards. The funding has to be focused on the wellbeing of the workers and be used for something such as health, education, cultural growth or social interaction. Anything that helps develop the community, encourage sustainability, and empowers the workers.\\xa0

\\xa0

For example, healthcare was a big gap for migrant workers and living in a rural area means access to doctors, dentists and hospitals is extremely difficult. Covilli\\u2019s employees decided to invest their premium money in medical transport services, so if someone needed to go to a healthcare provider, they would have access. Next, they decided to invest in a healthcare clinic that is onsite at Covilli Brand Organics farms. Not only does it include a general MD, but a dentist as well. The employees have access as well as about 10,000 members in the local community.

\\xa0

\\u201cWe have been able to reserve $1.2 million dollars in premiums for our workers.\\u201d - Iris Madrigal (13:42-13:50)

\\xa0

All of that is thanks to consumers like you who make sure to purchase Covilli Brand Organics and other Fair Trade products! Covilli is focused beyond Fair Trade on their own farm, and is constantly doing all that they can to improve the three pillars of sustainability: environmental, economic and social. They work with partner growers who grow pineapple, lemon, lime, and valencia oranges and make sure the deals are fair so farmers get paid what they deserve to earn. They\\u2019re also working to make the farm regenerative through efforts like composting and eventually, make everything self-sustainable.\\xa0

\\xa0

Want to see how you\\u2019re helping the Fair Trade movement? Visit Covilli Brand Organics\\u2019 website and you can track your specific Fair Trade premium contribution!

\\xa0

How to get involved

• Join The Produce Moms Group on Facebook and continue the discussion every week!\\xa0
• Reach out to us - we\\u2019d love to hear more about where you are in life and business! Find out more here.\\xa0

\\xa0

If you liked this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a quick review on iTunes. It would mean the world to hear your feedback and we\\u2019d love for you to help us spread the word!