Western Canada retailer Pattison Food Group has transitioned its organic banana program supplier to Equifruit, a North American importer of Fairtrade International-certified bananas.
Equifruit says its fair trade organic bananas are now available at the following Pattison Food Group stores: Save-On-Foods, PriceSmart Foods, Urban Fare, Buy-Low Foods, Quality Foods and Nesters Market.
Through this partnership, the companies say Pattison Food Group and Equifruit will help support sustainable incomes and improved working conditions for banana growers in Latin America.
“Switching to Equifruit organic bananas is a natural fit for Pattison Food Group,” says Justin McGregor, general manager for produce and bulk at Pattison Food Group. “They share our values of fairness, transparency and collaboration that benefits everyone, from growers to shoppers.”
Equifruit says in addition to promoting fairer wages and safer working conditions, the Fairtrade standards prohibit child labor and support farmers to help reduce their environmental impact. Equifruit pays a Fairtrade premium directly to growers, which provides community funding for projects such as education programs, clean water facilities and housing improvements.
“In a highly volatile global banana market, fair trade provides a level of stability for banana farmers,” says Jennie Coleman, president and co-owner of Equifruit. “That stability allows them to invest in a better future for themselves and their communities and a more sustainable future for the banana industry.”
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