interrupcion* Fair Trade

Alongside the Andean foothills of La Rioja, Olivos Argentinos is known as a leader in regional sustainable production. They were the first to produce certified organic olive oil in La Rioja and have been doing so for the last 5 years. Emilio Caimi, lead Agricultural Engineer, has helped guide the company’s sustainability initiatives and sees Fair Trade as a natural compliment to Olivos Argentinos’ sustainability philosophy. “We need to invest in the well-being of our soil to have a great harvest, and the same is true regarding the well-being of our employees”, Emilio affirms while walking along rows of organic olive trees. As a larger-scale producer, all of the benefits of Fair Trade are directed toward the Olivos Argentinos working community. Management is already making plans for their first annual assembly of workers to be held during the beginning of harvest in March. This assembly will include both temporary and permanent worker representatives to discuss the needs of workers and make a democratic decision on how Social Premiums will be invested in the worker community during 2008. One idea already discussed is the possible foundation of a small kindergarten for workers’ children to attend while their parents are working. We look forward to joining with Olivos Argentinos and their workers to discuss this and other proposals for investing Social Premiums for the highest ‘social return’ in this worker community.