Fresh Quest has announced that its Guatemalan melon affiliate Agroexportadora Mundial has become the first Central American melon grower to achieve Fair Trade certification.
The Plantation, Florida-based marketer said by purchasing Fresh Quest Fair Trade certified melons, retailers and consumers can be assured that workers receive fair wages, work in safe conditions, protect the environment and earn community development premiums to improve their lives.
For every Fair Trade melon sold, Fresh Quest will pay a premium directly into Fundación Agromundial, a foundation that is comprised of the Fair Trade committee in Guatemala and is charged with administering the investment of the premium on behalf of all the workers on the farm. The funds will be spent on social projects, such as education and healthcare, with long-term benefits for the workforce in Guatemala.
“For us, offering Fair Trade products is an important means by which to communicate to our customers our commitment to fair wages and workplace safety for the workers in the production of our agricultural products,” said Fresh Quest’s president Alan Guttmann.
“Fresh Quest is deeply committed to social and environmental responsibility. This effort is part of a larger strategy to raise awareness with our customers on how they can make a difference in the world with their purchasing decisions in a highly commoditized industry where product differentiation can be limited.”
