LOS ANGELES, CA – Signed. Sealed. Delivered. Giumarra’s organic and conventional hard squash is now Fair Trade Certified™. The company’s Nogales sales division released a statement specifying that its squash grown in Hermosillo, Sonoroa, Mexico, by José Carlos Coppel and his son Juan Carlos Coppel of Agroexport de Sonora S.A. de C.V. is now available in both organic and conventional versions with a fair trade stamp of approval.

“We look forward to expanding our year-round support of the Fair Trade program with our grower Agroexport,” says John Corsaro, CEO of the Giumarra Companies, in a recent press release. “Fair Trade represents an important opportunity for us to work with our retail partners to show consumers that yes, every purchase can make a difference in the lives of farm workers.”

This is the first stop on our journey through the company’s expanding line of Fair Trade Certified produce; other produce items with the same certification are acorn, butternut, and spaghetti squashes, which are available now through mid-June. Their sales are set to generate premiums paying into a worker-managed Community Development Fund. Farm workers from Agroexport can vote to spend funds on social, economic, or environmental project that will benefit their community.

“Our philosophy is to be one step ahead on certifications like Fair Trade that improve the health and happiness of our employees,” says José Carlos Coppel, General Manager of Agroexport. “We want to help build strong local communities by investing in our employees and empowering them. Doing what is best for our workers will strengthen our business.”

Achievement of fair trade practices is no easy feat, requiring farms to be audited against Fair Trade USA’s rigorous Agricultural Production Standard. Businesses held to this standard in order to gain their certification must commit to driving worker and community well-being, empowerment, and environmental stewardship within their workplace.

“We are proud to work with the Giumarra Companies to expand the impact of their Fair Trade program to more workers in Mexico,” Nathalie Marin-Gest, Director of Produce & Floral at Fair Trade USA.

For grocers looking to capitalize on the appetizing marketability Fair Trade Certification offers, the squash varieties come in various pack styles under the Nature’s Partner brand name. Further, the hard squash will have promotable volumes this season available for customers and ideal for holiday bulk-shopping.

“That we can bring Certified Organic, Fair Trade squash to conscious consumers is very exciting for us,” says Kellee Harris, Western Region Business Director for Giumarra. “We consider hard squash a healthy, nutrient-dense addition to fall and winter menus. What better way to celebrate the giving season than by promoting nutritious squash dishes with the Fair Trade message of giving back to make a difference.”

With so much business buzzing around the industry, one piece of news pollinating Giumarra’s squash crops and promoting its sales growth is the company’s commitment to fair trade and practices that do right by everyone in the industry.

Giumarra Companies