Interrupcion launches new program of Organic Fair Trade bananas

Interrupcion is a Fair Trade social enterprise working to improve producer livelihoods, practice environmental sustainability and foster a global community. The organization not only helps farms and cooperatives to become Organic and Fair Trade certified (free of charge), but also purchases and exports their fresh produce to the US market. Partnering with over 2,000 small to medium sized farms and cooperatives in South and Central America, interrupcion has directly impacted more than 10,000 full-time and temporary workers, their families and communities. In 2011 alone, sales of interrupcion* produce generated and delivered over $180,000 in fair trade premiums to producer groups in Argentina, Chile, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic and Ecuador.

In addition to working in pineapple, mango, plums, grapes, blackberries, raspberries, asparagus and avocadoes, interrupcion has been a pioneer in the responsible consumerism movement by independently establishing the first supplies of Fair Trade certified Argentine and Chilean conventional and organic blueberries, organic apples, organic pears, conventional cherries and conventional kiwis to the US market.

Interrupcion is excited about its new launch of Taste Me Do Good bananas. Purchased from an associated cooperative in Ecuador, these fresh bananas are certified Organic and Fair Trade; thus they reflect both accountability to the planet and an active contribution to a just commercial relationship between producer and consumer. Interrupcion currently imports 8,000 cartons per week to the US market; bananas are already being actively promoted and sold in supermarkets. However, the organization will imminently double its purchasing volume to 16,000 cartons per week, thus making the new product line available to more supermarkets and customers across the country.

The associated farm, located in the El Oro province of Ecuador, is a cooperative that produces Organic and Fair Trade certified bananas for the international market. Committed to protecting worker health, consumer wellbeing and the earth since its establishment in 2004, the farm employs natural farming methods and cleans bananas with clean water instead of spraying synthetic pesticides and chemical fertilizers. Concern for worker rights and commitment to community development motivated the farm to meet Fair Trade standards in November 2011. Empowered workers carry out their tasks in safe, healthy conditions and decide together how to use fair trade premiums for the benefit of themselves as a group, their families and the community at large.

For more information:
Interrupcion Fair Trade
Tel: +1 718 417-4076
[email protected]