Driscolls Fair Trade Certified Program Expands within Mexico

News Release

After generating more than $200,000 during its initial Fair Trade Certified™ organic program, Driscoll’s announced it expanding its program to benefit communities across Baja California, Mexico through elected projects. The Fair Trade Certified™ program is one of many initiatives Driscoll’s has implemented as part of its commitment to sustainable business practices.

The program will include more independent growers, expand retail distribution and increase sales of Fair Trade Certified™ organic and conventional strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and blackberries. In turn, more workers in Baja California will benefit from the program and receive additional funds for community improvement.

The initial program, introduced in January 2016 in partnership with Fair Trade USA, included 11 farms in Baja California and provided training and resources to more than 3,500 workers. Fair Trade Certified™ Driscoll’s organic strawberries and organic raspberries to date are sold at select Costco and Whole Foods locations. A core benefit of Fair Trade certification is that additional funds are generated each time a consumer buys berries carrying the Fair Trade Certified label and 100 percent of those community funds are directed back to the farmworkers and the communities that grew the berries. Driscoll’s also invested significant funds into the program in an effort to kick-start the continued growth.

"Driscoll’s is tremendously proud of the impact our program in partnership with Fair Trade USA has had on the communities across Baja California," says Soren Bjorn, executive vice president for Driscoll’s of the Americas. "Initiatives like this benefit everyone—from local workers and their families, to our growers and the folks buying our berries. This program expansion represents our ongoing commitment to the communities where we live and operate."

For more information visit Driscoll’s.