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FairTSA Approved by the World Fair Trade Organization Guarantee System |
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As of July, FairTSA is now a Fair Trade program approved by the WFTO Guarantee System! This will allow producers certified under our program to sell FairTSA certified products to WFTO member organizations without an additional audit. This has been a long, worthwhile process for our company. The WFTO noted the uniqueness in our transparency when it comes to Community Development Projects that support economically marginalized producers across the globe. The 10 Principles of Fair Trade outlined by the WFTO are in line with how FairTSA operates every day and we are extremely proud to have been recognized for our shared values. We are looking forward to a fruitful cooperation with the WFTO and sharing our missions of making trade equitable for all. You can read more about the WFTO Guarantee System and what it means for FairTSA here.
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Producer Highlight: FINCA PRODOSA
(Productos Dominicanos EFEPE SRL)
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Small farmers and workers are at the heart of FairTSA Fair Trade certification. Through
Community Development Projects and capacity building, we facilitate direct impact on the agricultural communities that grow and process our food.
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FINCA PRODOSA is an 86 hectare banana farm located in the community of Hatillo Palma, Province of Monte Cristi, Dominican Republic. Dedicated to the production of organic bananas, they have 144 employees of which 96 work directly in the production of the bananas in the fields with the remainder in supervisory or administrative positions.
We would like to commend FINCA PRODOSA for their efforts to support their workers in a very difficult situation. Less than 100km from the border with Haiti, most of their workers are of Haitian descent. After the assassination of the President in 2021, the crisis in Haiti has increased the migratory flow to the Dominican Republic. Therefore the banana production zone close to the border where FINCA PRODOSA is located is not only a respite for the workers from the strife in their homeland, but also a source of income to support their own families and their loved ones at home.
Due to the relative vulnerability of their employees as migrants, FINCA PRODOSA has taken many significant steps to aid their workers and support human development during a precarious situation. Below, you will read about Community Development Projects undertaken in 2022 which were proposed by the workers’ FairTSA Committee with the support of the farm management. These incredible projects range from supporting migrant workers’ ability to receive legal documentation for work, promoting food security, and establishing an emergency fund for affected worker families.
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Evaluation of Projects Financed by the FairTSA Social Premium in 2022
FINCA PRODOSA management supported a wide array of Community Development Projects last year. All projects are decided upon by the FairTSA committee, whose voting members are elected farm workers. The Farm management must support the committee and it can provide input in doing so, but it must not make the decisions.
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Payment of Social Security Contributions for Workers. Due to high inflation in the Dominican Republic, worker pay is essentially worth less by the minute. Therefore, this measure—together with increasing wages, which is currently underway—will provide workers and their families a decent living and allow them to support their families in their home country of Haiti.
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Legal Registration of Undocumented Workers. Many of the workers that cross the border and start working in agriculture in the Dominican Republic have no documentation. This project was established to enable the undocumented workers to acquire a proper work permit and passport. Most of the formerly undocumented workers now have the permit and their passport.
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Free Services and Food. Breakfast, lunch, and transportation were provided to workers at no cost to support them with out-of-pocket expenses.
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Improving Food Security. Securing nourishing food is an important issue in our culture that depends ever more on fast food. Realizing this, FINCA PRODOSA encouraged their workers to cultivate unused parts of the farm to grow their own vegetables. Workshops were held on how to educate the workers and their families, with seeds provided for planting.
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Revolving Emergency Fund. A revolving emergency fund was established to support workers and their families that encountered emergency situations. The loans are provided at zero interest but must be paid back over time. This represents substantial support for such families in crisis, as current interest rates are between 21% and 25%, if they are even able to secure a loan.
We are happy to see the Social Premium in the case of FINCA PRODOSA put to such great uses that truly benefit the common good. This makes a real difference in the life of the migrant workers and their families on the banana plantation! The FINCA PRODOSA FairTSA committee has already proposed a similar range of impressive projects for 2023 and we are looking forward to their successful completion.
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The team here at FairTSA have been working hard to create an updated, user-friendly website that will be launched soon! We are looking forward to continuing to highlight annual Community Development Projects and keeping a current, searchable Product Database. Keep an eye on our social media for updates as to when the new design goes live and tell us what you think! If you are a current FairTSA Entity interested in submitting photos of your team to be featured on our website, please send submissions to sam@fairtsp.com. |
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The brand new FairTSA Brand Kit is now available upon request! This informative document contains many resources designed to help our partners make the most of participating in the FairTSA program. The Brand Kit contains:
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About the FairTSA Brand Kit outlines the purpose of each Brand Kit document.
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FairTSA Printing Equity Guide serves as a guideline on how to use the FairTSA logo and determines colors, sizes, and other distinctive features of how the logo can be printed or used.
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Logo Files are provided in .jpg, .eps, and .psd formats. High-definition formats for printing the logos on packaging may only be used by certified, licensed, or registered FairTSA partners.
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About FairTSA provides a snapshot of our mission, purpose, and impact.
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Guiding Principles lays down the main principles of the FairTSA program and explains the advantages of working with FairTSA.
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FairTSA Community Development Impact documents our work with small farmers and worker communities on five continents.
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Value Proposition presents a brief snapshot of how we support our partners in creating value for their entities and support their organizations' mission.
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Welcome to our New FairTSA Certified Producers! |
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The FairTSA team would like to extend a warm welcome to our newest FairTSA certified producers! Please contact us if you are interested in their Fair Trade FairTSA certified products.
Arawak EcoSourcing S.A.C, Peru
Cocoa and cocoa beans
Cacao San José, C.A., Venezuela
Cocoa and cocoa beans
Procesadora Cacao Real, C.A., Venezuela
Cocoa products including powder, butter, liquor, and nibs
And an equally warm welcome to our newest FairTSA Licensing Partner!
Grupo Iren, Spain
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+1 518-794-0286
P.O. Box 791
New Lebanon, NY 12125 USA
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