• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Sourced

The FreshDirect blog

  • Recipes
  • Our Partners
  • FreshDirect News
  • Sustainability
  • Eat With The Season
  • Shop

How Fairtrade Bananas Support Ethical Food Production

· ·

Supporting sustainable and ethical food production is a key part of FreshDirect’s mission. We’ve taken this another step further by partnering with Equal Exchange to be the first east coast online retailer to sell their organic, Fairtrade bananas, which are sourced from three small farmer cooperatives in Ecuador and Peru.

equal exchange fairtrade bananas packing ecuador
This relationship is a new milestone in our efforts to work with producers that are working to make a difference and are committed to impacting society and the environment in a positive way. Equal Exchange is a pioneer in this regard: they have been a leader in the Fairtrade movement for decades, helping small-scale producers gain a foothold in competitive marketplaces.

equal-exchange-fairtrade-bananas-asoguabo-Mariana CobosAlthough Equal Exchange Fairtrade bananas may seem ordinary, their story is unconventional in every sense of the word. The difference is in a business model that puts people over profit. Equal Exchange works with regional, democratically-run co-operatives comprised of small farms to ensure that all members are paid fair, standardized prices for their fruit. Additionally, the co-ops receive premiums that are used to fund projects that support the well-being the farms, their members, and their communities.

The co-operative system stands in contrast to conventional supply chain relationships, which give small farmers fewer chances to access the global market. Most banana companies rely on large-scale production, packing, and shipping for efficiency and have complex distribution networks that lengthen the journey between the farm and the consumer. Small, independent producers would likely not be able to meet the volumes required to sell bananas for international export nor would they have the power to negotiate a favorable price, thus restricting their sales to local markets and smaller profits.

By forming co-operatives, these farms not only are able to join forces to create shipments large enough for export, they also benefit from price stability rather than the inconsistencies of dealing with supply chain middlemen. Working with Equal Exchange and engaging in a direct trade system puts more money back into the hands of farmers and reduces the number of intermediaries involved in getting bananas from the farm to your FreshDirect order.

ee_banana_hand_logo-minFairtrade monetarily benefits farms and laborers, but even more impressive, perhaps, is its potential to positively contribute to the welfare of their surrounding communities. Equal Exchange’s partner co-ops give their members an equal say in how to use the money received from Fairtrade premiums and have supported projects as wide-ranging as business development, soil health, recycling, healthcare, education, and women’s entrepreneurship.

When you buy these organic bananas on FreshDirect, $1 from each bunch goes back to Equal Exchange’s small farm co-op partners. You can find them year-round in on FreshDirect, where they’re one of many great ways to support sustainable and ethical food production.

Watch the video below to learn more.

Shop Fairtrade bananas on FreshDirect

Filed Under: Produce, Producer Stories, Sustainability Tagged With: bananas, equal exchange, fairtrade

Primary Sidebar

Search

Read More

Get Social With FreshDirect

Facebook
Twitter
YouTube
Instagram

@FreshDirect On Instagram

There's no better time to eat chili than whenever There's no better time to eat chili than whenever you want. Check out @feedyoursister's recipe for Turkey Chili

What you'll need::
• 3 tbsp olive or avocado oil
• 1 tsp pink salt
• 1 container of mirepoix (chopped onion, carrot and celery)
• 3 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 jalapeno, seeded and chopped (optional)
• 2 red bell peppers, chopped
• 1 pound ground turkey/beef/chicken (you can also sub in crumbled tofu)
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
• 1 tsp cumin powder
• 2 cups chicken or vegetable stock
• 1 large can of diced tomatoes (28 oz)
• 2-3 cans of beans (Black, pinto, kidney, refried or aduki beans are great choices.)

What you'll do::
In a large pot, add in the first six ingredients and sauté over medium heat until the onions and peppers have a chance to sweat and soften, about 5-7 minutes.

Add in meat of choice or tofu. Stir around and crumble using a wooden spoon until all the meat is mostly cooked.

Add in chili powder, cayenne (if using) and cumin. Stir ingredients around in the pot to prevent burning.

Add in stock, diced tomatoes and beans. If you are adding in extra chopped veggies, add them in now as well. Mix to combine.

Let simmer for about 40 minutes.

Fill your bowl with whatever toppings you’d like and enjoy!
Our Chicken Marsala meal kit with Garlic Bread and Our Chicken Marsala meal kit with Garlic Bread and Hazelnut Arugula Salad is magnifico 🤌 so, we’ll try to save you some…but you should really get your own!

Click the #linkinbio to order!
The literal definition of eat, drink, and be Irish The literal definition of eat, drink, and be Irish. Happy St. Patty's Day! ☘️💚

📸: @charcuterie_n_things
#womenshistorymonth is all about empowering women, #womenshistorymonth is all about empowering women, so this month, we’re spotlighting some of our favorite women owned brands, like Talea Beer Co.

Founded by Tara and LeAnn, homebrewers who left the corporate world to create the change they wanted to see in the craft beer industry, @taleabeer is the only female-founded brewery in NYC. They’re on a mission to make craft beer more inclusive and approachable by offering a wide variety of easy-to-love beers that cater to the palettes of both craft newcomers to beer nerds.

Check out our link in bio to purchase!
Let the shenanigans begin ☘️ We've got Guinnes Let the shenanigans begin ☘️ We've got Guinness, baked goods, and everything needed to get into the #stpattysday spirit at FreshDirect.com!
We eat tacos on any day that ends in ‘y’… es We eat tacos on any day that ends in ‘y’… especially #fdambassador @chubbychinesegirleats’ juicy steak tacos
Happy International Women’s Day from FreshDirect Happy International Women’s Day from FreshDirect! This year we’re setting out to #EmbraceEquity by pushing for true inclusion and belonging. And you can, too! Advocate for challenging gender stereotypes, call out discrimination, draw attention to bias, and seek inclusion. 

Swipe to hear what it means to be a woman in food!
Meal kits are the life hack you didn’t know you Meal kits are the life hack you didn’t know you needed. This roasted lemon herb chicken kit is fit with everything you need for a stressfree dinner tonight. Link in bio to order. 

Pro-tip: order more than one kit for the ultimate savory meal prep #mondaymotivation #mealprepmonday
Savor the spread! (See what we did there?) You ne Savor the spread! (See what we did there?)

You never know who'll stop by, or when you'll need a bitesized nosh packed with flavor. Keep some @savorly apps on hand and it'll be one less thing to worry about.
Follow @FreshDirect