In the spotlight: Fair Trade USA CEO Paul Rice shares vision for scaling produce certification
ANAHEIM, Calif. — The Packer caught up with Paul Rice, founder and CEO of Fair Trade USA, at the International Fresh Produce Association’s recent Global Produce and Floral Show to learn more about the organization’s newly launched Produce Program Innovation.
The innovations being made to the program aim to scale the impact of fair trade certification for global farmworkers and their communities by providing an industrywide, simplified fee and premium structure, and creating a transparent, equitable program that provides growth for all certificate holders, Rice said.
Fair Trade USA is bringing the fair trade premium down across the board to 2 cents a pound. It’s “radical simplicity,” says Rice, adding that this simplified structure will pave the way for greater participation in fair trade across the produce industry.
Click on the Live From video link below to learn more about Fair Trade USA’s Produce Program Innovation and NatureSweet, the most recent produce company to join the fair trade movement, with its commitment to growing 100% of its branded snacking tomato products in accordance with Fair Trade Certified standards.
