Floriza en Los Parajes, packed and marketed in the Aztlan Organic label, became Fair Trade USA certified. Located in Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico they have 52 acres of shade houses where they grow organic, bell peppers, eggplant, cucumbers and anaheim, jalapeño, poblano and serrano chili peppers. All their organic commodities will be available to be sold as Fair Trade when their season begins in mid-November.
Bridges Produce has been marketing Floriza en Los Parajes’ organic produce since 2012 and is thrilled to be able to add bell peppers, and chili peppers to their growing list of Fair Trade offerings. Bridges Produce also markets Hermosillo based Rico Farms’ organic hard squash, eggplant, zucchini, green beans, and melons which have been Fair Trade USA certified since 2013. In addition, Bridges offers the only Fair Trade USA certified apples and pears in the USA. These apples and pears which are available March through June come from Lago Verde in Argentina.
Pursuing Fair Trade USA certification seemed like a natural fit for Floriza en Los Parajes as this multi-generational family farm has always been dedicated to their rural community and to a compassionate business model. Fernando González Peña stated “We have benefited from the support of our workers through many crises, and have tried to help them whenever we can. We hope that being Fair Trade certified will allow us to help them even further”. Fernando González Peña is also excited to see the personal growth that will come from this program “The fact that the workers have to work together to administer funds for the general good is a very interesting proposition that will hopefully have a positive impact on their political awareness, social relationships and personal economies.”
Ben Johnson, Bridges Produce President says, “The mission of Bridges Produce is to ensure that every stakeholder in our food system is not only protected but also thrives, the consumer, the retailer, the farm, the farmworker and the environment. Fair Trade certification is a great way to formalize this commitment to the farm workers and to empower consumers to vote with their dollars.”
Contact:
Sydney Fairchild
Bridges Produce
Tel: (503) 235-7333