“I joined the company last year and immediately began researching various sustainability and social responsibility programs that aligned closely with our company's values as well as those of our partners and customers,” said Griggs. “After evaluating several options and presenting them to management, we selected Fair Trade USA as the most suitable certification as it was important to us that we align with customer expectations and strengthen the company's values-driven mission.”
Finding a suitable certification that strengthens its mission was especially important for the Classic Fruit and Westside Produce Alliance. “Classic Fruit and Westside Produce have a shared commitment to food safety,” said Garrett Patricio, President of Westside Produce. “Any certifications or standards we set must be both rigorous and embodied within our company culture. Achieving Fair Trade USA certification in our Guatemalan operation is yet another example of that commitment and having Andrea here to help with that has been instrumental.”
All in all, when it comes to the certification benefits, Griggs said being Fair Trade certified “includes improved worker welfare, gives access to new markets, builds stronger relationships with ethical retailers and enhances brand trust among socially conscious consumers.”
These benefits only continue to recognize the importance of obtaining this certification for both the alliance and its customers and confirms their commitment to social, environmental, and economic standards as well as their commitment to ethical practices and improving conditions for farm workers.
