To mark 10 years since its first Fair Trade USA certification in 2012, Ariz.-based grower-shipper Wholesum hosted its first-ever festival celebrating community, art and the positive impacts of fair trade, at its farm in Sonora, Mexico, on Dec. 2.
The event was called “Semillitas” — which means little seeds in Spanish — celebrating how, over time, investments can take root and flourish in the years to come.
“If this is what can be achieved in 10 years, imagine what is possible in the next 10!” Ricardo Crisantes, chief commercial officer at Wholesum, said in a news release. “This is your movement, this is your work, we are your partners, but you are the stars.”
Wholesum employees, community members and industry partners attended the festivities, which included dancing, live music, a ribbon cutting ceremony and a mural unveiling at a nearby soccer field.
Special guest Paul Rice, founder and CEO of Fair Trade USA, addressed attendees and recognized the impact of Wholesum’s past and present committee members, according to the release.
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The ribbon cutting ceremony debuted a new public kiosk in a community plaza, the latest completed fair trade community development project.
“In Mexico, kiosks are cherished spaces where people meet friends, take walks with family, and on special occasions listen to live music,” Jesus Tabanico, fair trade committee secretary, said in the release.
Local businesses, nonprofits and restaurants participated in a vendors market, showcasing crafts and products.
“These spaces bring moments of joy and heighten the connection not only with the community but to culture and art,” Francisco Landell, farm director at Wholesum, said in the release.
Wholesum first obtained fair trade certification in 2012 through third-party certifier Fair Trade USA. Since then, Wholesum’s farming communities have received over $8 million in community development funds generated by sales of fair trade produce.
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Community development funds help address needs and challenges faced by community members in Wholesum’s producing regions. Projects from the funds include expanding access services such as to education and health services, nutrition, transportation and recreation. Since 2012, not only have Wholsum’s community development funds helped build the infrastructure for entire communities of workers, but the funds have also helped create a place to call home for families to thrive, according to the release.
