You may have heard about the devastating earthquake that hit Chile on Saturday.
It is a terrible human tragedy and our thoughts and prayers are with all the people of Chile as they try to piece back together their lives, communities, and businesses. The massive 8.8 earthquake has hit growing areas from region V to IX , supply complications are likely to be severe- major highways and bridges have been destroyed, electricity outages have damaged cold-storage capacity, and growers are struggling to maintain operations in the context of massive disruptions to basic services, including running water. Now, more than ever, it is important to know that Fair Trade makes a difference. So far this season with our fair trade blueberries from Chile, consumers have generated over $40,000 in social premiums. These premiums will be more important than ever in order to address the urgent needs of the people in all the affected communities. Premium funds can help people survive from the collapsed economy, to rebuild houses, schools, and community centers, and generate additional resources so that people can invest in what they need most. Every package of interrupcion* Fair Trade Blueberries generates social premiums, and every package makes a positive difference. We will have signs available this week designed for retail shelves where our partners can tell the story of Fair Trade as it directly relates to the recent earthquake. We are here to support any communication efforts that are of interest- our goal is to generate as much money in Fair Trade premiums as possible to provide aid to the people of Chile.We ask you to consider what you can do to increase the effectiveness of our efforts, and we welcome the chance to work and collaborate with you in partnership.
Rafael Goldberg, CEO interrupcion* Fair Trade