IN THE NEWS Something beautiful is growing - Fair labor banana - Written by PCC, Seattle, WN Of all the foods offered at grocery stores, bananas are the number one most often purchased item. That means that a banana with great flavor and texture, and that ripens well, may be the most important item in a store -- to consumers and retailers alike. At PCC, we set the standard even higher -- to ensure that our bananas are produced according to fair labor practices. Over the years, PCC has offered a couple of different fair labor bananas, but the best of all is from Organics Unlimited, a small family-owned business that began in 2000 as a husband-wife team importing certified organic fruits from Mexico. PCC's Produce Merchandiser, Joe Hardiman, says the quality of the fruit itself is consistently outstanding and that there just isn't another banana out there that compares. But something else beautiful is growing at Organics Unlimited -- a program to support those who do most of the labor... the workers who grow, harvest and pack the fruit. Organics Unlimited made a large contribution in February 2005 to start a foundation called GROW -- "Giving Resources and Opportunities to Workers." It's a non-profit dedicated to pay field workers a premium living wage and provide resources for their communities, such as schools, water purification systems, and electricity in remote areas. The President of Organics Unlimited, Mayra Velasquez de Leon, says, "We know we can't take care of the whole world, but we can make a difference with the people who are providing the food that we eat and that we sell." Mayra understands the challenges that farmers face and the consequences of non-organic, chemical farming methods. She comes from four generations of organic farmers in Mexico, mostly banana growers. Her father, she says, was the first organic banana grower in the world and she grew up in the business as the organic market evolved. "I worked for 13 years in my dad's company, the Mexican American Fruit Company (Mexam). I was peeling bananas for Earth's Best baby food, and then selling bananas. When he retired, he pushed me to do this, to start my own business with my husband." Manuel Velazquez de Leon had been in charge of operations with Mexam for 15 years when he and Mayra struck out on their own. "Sustainability was really at the core of our beliefs," says Mayra, "even before the produce community understood all that it entailed for the world and for the U.S. market. We've always believed in growing tropical fruits in a more natural state, free of chemical fertilizers. Even as organics began to prosper, Organics Unlimited focused on the social responsibility of taking good care of its workers." The reality of work down on the farm has shaped the way Mayra and Manuel, her husband and Vice President of Organics Unlimited,  do business. They spent years carefully building relationships that would provide the most for their workers, especially their relationship with PCC?s premier produce wholesaler, the Organically Grown Company (OGC). OGC itself began as a farmers' co-operative in Oregon 30 years ago and became the driving force in the origin of Oregon Tilth, which in turn drove the national movement for national organic standards. The grass-roots determination and vision at OGC was a perfect match for Mayra and Manuel. Today, OGC buys their fruit direct, and it goes to PCC direct, without middlemen in between. "I remember Dave Amorose (a founder of OGC) calling me five years ago," laughs Mayra. "He kept asking me, when are you going to start? When, when?" I told him, "Dave, I'm starting my own company, starting from scratch, and I need some customers." I remember selling OGC one pallet a week, that's how we started. Now we're up to two loads a week, with 960 boxes per load." Now that the company enjoys measurable success, Mayra and Manuel want to help others still struggling to make a life as farmers. So they set up the GROW Foundation with the help of the International Community Foundation (ICF). "Whatever money goes through ICF is tax-free," says Mayra. Also, GROW has minimal administration, releases funds almost immediately, and maintains first-hand knowledge of working conditions. This ensures that funds are allocated for the greatest effect to farmers in areas where Organics Unlimited is working. There are other humanitarian and environmental programs meant to help farmers, but some are slowed by bureaucracy and don?t have first-hand knowledge of the needs of field workers. Money may not be allocated in a timely manner, or may not be disbursed effectively. To keep GROW growing, Organics Unlimited charges a small fee of 60 cents per box of bananas. That 60 cents goes to improve the quality of life for farm workers and environmental projects. While 60 cents may seem like a small donation, it makes a considerable difference to the people and towns receiving assistance. The cost is being absorbed, paid for entirely by OGC and PCC, so the retail price for consumers remains competitive with regular organic bananas. A new GROW sticker appearing on the bananas signifies that fair labor practices are hand-in-hand with organic growing methods. All bananas from Organics Unlimited are certified by Quality Assurance International, the internationally recognized organic certifying agency. "When we have a grower who wants to work with us, he has to grow organic," says Mayra. "So we give him an incentive, we pay better than what the market is doing, and our engineers offer assistance managing the farm, and we give him so much more. In addition to providing resources, we sponsor festivities with raffles and give the children gifts. We make them happy and make it a community, doing work that's part of the culture, growing fruit. We don't permit children to work in the fields, but encourage them to attend school by paying their families well. We're also looking to develop childcare. It's important to keep knowledgeable, competent workers on our plantations and provide them a stable life so they'll stay. There are more farmers and families who want in, but we need more customers." The company is only five years old, yet OGC and PCC have committed together to purchase all bananas as part of the GROW program. Their regular organic line will fill in only if GROW product isn?t available, which may be only occasionally. Either way, growers earn a fair price, field workers are well treated and well paid, and the earth remains unsullied. When consumers know that workers who grow their food live in clean, secure, good conditions, will they be willing to pay a few cents more to keep that balance? Mayra believes yes, "We don't believe Americans want to exploit workers. There is a better way." So when you reach for bananas, think of this small family company with a big vision, and look for the GROW sticker that reminds us something really beautiful is growing with our collective support. << Return to In the News