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\\u201cAt NatureSweet, our commitment is really to transform the lives of agricultural workers in North America, no matter what.\\u201d

Lori Castillo (3:02-3:11)

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NatureSweet\\u2019s ability to transform the lives of their agricultural workers across North America just got stronger now that they\\u2019re partnered with Fair Trade USA! Fair Trade USA is a nonprofit organization in Oakland, California and the leading certifier of Fair Trade products in the North American market.

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You\\u2019ve probably seen the Fair Trade label on your favorite produce items at the grocery store, but what does it actually mean? First, it means that the farm or factory that produced that product (Fair Trade certifies flowers, seafood and is best known for their work in textiles) is being regularly inspected against the Fair Trade standards. These standards are extensive and cover social practices, economic practices and environmental practices at the farm level.

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Secondly, for every product that is sold with a Fair Trade label on it, a portion of that product\\u2019s price goes back directly to the workers on that product\\u2019s farm into a special fund just for them. No one else has access to it but the workers, who then decide how the money is used through democratic voting. The workers invest the money into projects that address the greatest needs of their communities, like access to medical and dental services, transportation for children to get to school, or making clean running water available.

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It\\u2019s empowering for the farm workers to make this decision since they understand their communities\\u2019 needs best, and in turn, they can work with the Fair Trade organization to prioritize the projects and turn them into a reality.\\xa0

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\\u201cThere\'s nothing more important than initiatives like this that are transforming the lives of those who work in the agricultural industry and that is exactly what Fair Trade is all about.\\u201d Lori Taylor (19:03-19:17)

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If you\\u2019re concerned about the markup on Fair Trade products\\u2019 prices, don\\u2019t be. There\\u2019s a small premium put on the price of goods at the point of sale that\\u2019s merely fractions of a penny. You pay that premium at checkout, but the total cost could be, for example a few pennies per pound. That might not sound like much, but those fractions of pennies add up to hundreds of thousands of dollars and even millions of dollars.\\xa0

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The Fair Trade organization empowers farm workers, yes, but also ensures the economic, social and environmental practices on a farm are met at a very high standard. Things like safe and responsible working conditions, ensuring workers live in safe housing, get adequate rest and meal breaks, and that they\\u2019re paid sick and maternity leave are all examples of what these standards include.

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Another important focus of Fair Trade is that there\\u2019s transparency with workers when they are being hired. Unfortunately there are plenty of times when workers don\\u2019t understand their rights under the law, how their pay is calculated, what benefits they are entitled to and what procedures are in place to gain access to those. Fair Trade eliminates that and wants to make the experience for a farm worker just as excellent as it might be for a high up executive in a corporation.

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Do the products from Fair Trade farms actually differ from others? Anyone understands that if they feel safe, respected, empowered and dignified at their workplace, they\\u2019re going to be invested in the quality of their work and put in an extra level of attention to what it is they\\u2019re doing. Plus, knowing that Fair Trade also benefits a worker\\u2019s family and community increases their overall wellbeing and livelihood. You might not visibly see a difference, but you can enjoy Fair Trade products knowing the people behind it have been treated humanely, with care, respect and the highest standard of working conditions.

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\\u201cThis is 100% sustainability and you can contribute to the improvement of the agricultural supply chain and the advancement of our industry by purchasing these Fair Trade Certified\\u2122 NatureSweet tomatoes at Walmart.\\u201d Lori Taylor (22:17-22:34)

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Not only is NatureSweet Fair Trade Certified\\u2122, they\\u2019re also certified by The Equitable Food Initiative which certifies greenhouses to ensure they meet the highest standards in the industry. Being able to invest your dollars in a company that\\u2019s dedicated to sustainability and transforming agriculture at your local Walmart is an incredible achievement for our industry! Fair Trade items were once seen as obscure or high end as they weren\\u2019t as readily available across all parts of America. Now, you can play your role in improving the industry standard for agricultural workers and the lives that bring you your favorite produce.

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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

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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!