LOS ANGELES – The Giumarra Companies, in partnership with Fair Trade USA, announces an educational “Ask Us Anything: Fair Trade” webinar to take place during Produce Marketing Association’s (PMA) Fresh Summit virtual event.
“October is Fair Trade Month, and we can think of no better time to share the importance of fair trade’s impact with produce audiences than during PMA’s first-ever virtual Fresh Summit,” said Kellee Harris, Western Region Business Director and fair trade liaison for the Giumarra Companies. “With insights from the Fresh Summit platform, we know many buyers are interested in sustainability topics. A commitment to a fair trade program is one of the ways we can ensure a healthy future for both our people and our planet, showing consumers that our industry can make a difference by making every purchase matter.”
Harris noted that the virtual setting presents a unique opportunity to educate and engage with retailers who want to learn more about fair trade and its positive impacts on produce sales, worker welfare, and environmental stewardship. Fair Trade Standards for agricultural production encompass rigorous requirements to safeguard fairness and transparency for every person in the supply chain, while also supporting biodiversity and sustainable production.
The webinar will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 14 at 11 a.m. PDT/2 p.m. EDT. Attendees are encouraged to sign up in advance via the following link: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Rh8pdpKrRgemA30gvP4oyw. The webinar will be recorded and available after the event on both the Giumarra Companies’ and Fair Trade USA’s Fresh Summit Marketplace pages.
During the session, a representative from Fair Trade USA will present a brief overview of the fair trade program and its impacts, focusing on the produce industry. Giumarra will then present a category-specific case study outlining the measurable impacts of its fair trade program in Mexico. The third segment of the webinar will open the platform to attendee questions regarding fair trade.
Fair Trade USA reports that overall, the Fair Trade Certified™ produce available on shelves is growing year-over-year, with the first half of 2020 seeing sales volumes 19 percent higher than the same period in 2019.
“We have worked with Giumarra for many years, and their commitment to the fair trade program has had tremendous impact for thousands of farm workers, families, and communities,” said Jesse Appelman, Head of Fresh Goods at Fair Trade USA. “We’re excited for this opportunity to celebrate their program as an example of the impact that Fair Trade Certification can bring to produce supply chains across the industry.”
Giumarra recently added Fair Trade Certified avocados to its product offering. The avocados are grown in the state of Michoacán in Mexico by the Genel family of Rancho Agua Blanca. For the fall and winter seasons, Giumarra also offers Fair Trade Certified seedless watermelon, hard squash, and bell peppers. Additionally, Giumarra offers Fair Trade Certified seedless watermelon, bell peppers, and grapes from Mexico each spring.
About the Giumarra Companies
The Giumarra Companies is a leading international network of fresh produce growers, distributors, and marketers that encompasses a world of freshness. Since its inception in 1922, the Giumarra group of companies has taken pride in a longstanding commitment and tradition of quality, service, and industry leadership to feed the world in a healthy way. Products packed under the company’s Nature’s Partner label represent some of the highest-quality fruits and vegetables in the marketplace, having met strict standards for food safety, quality control, and flavor. Visit us at www.giumarra.com.
About Fair Trade USA
Fair Trade USA® is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and the leading certifier of fair trade products in North America. Its trusted Fair Trade Certified™ seal on a product signifies that it was made according to rigorous fair trade standards that promote sustainable livelihoods and safe working conditions, protection of the environment, and strong, transparent supply chains. Rather than creating dependency on aid, Fair Trade USA’s model empowers farmers, workers, and fishermen to fight poverty and earn additional money to improve their communities. Winner of Fast Company’s Social Enterprise of the Year Award and recognized as a leading social venture by the Clinton Global Initiative, the Skoll Foundation, and Ashoka, Fair Trade USA also helps brands and retailers tell their stories of impact and educates consumers about the power of their purchase.
