Producer Profiles

Finca La Frontera

Finca La Frontera is a banana plantation located in the Urabá region of Colombia. Urabá has suffered some of the worst violence in the decade-long civil war in Colombia. Thankfully, the region is relatively peaceful now and communities are rebuilding. However, because the region is still influenced by drug traffickers, legitimate employment, which offers workers and their families a better avenue to escape poverty, is vital to keep the youth out of the drug trade. Fair Trade helps employ farmers and families in the community and provide fair and stable wages, and much-needed development programs.
 

Quotable

“

My son enjoys his wheelchair every day – he goes out visiting and goes to watch the soccer games he loves so much.  ”

Farid's Mother
“

We are so thankful. Thanks to you we can have our own home. Even though we are just starting to build, it already feels like something that is really ours. Now we won’t have to keep moving from one rental house to another.  ”

Rangel Barco Cuesta
“

I am very happy because my income has increased, making it possible to give my family a better life.  ”

Freddy Pacheco

Programs

Wheelchair Donation

La Frontera’s workers have decided to share the benefits of their Fair Trade premium with their community. In 2008, the group chose to help a local youth named Farid Pitalua. Due to a physical condition, Farid could not walk and his family could not afford a wheelchair; La Frontera’s workers contributed $USD 317.00 to buy him one. Each year, farm workers collectively decide who in the community is in most need and how Fair Trade premiums could be spent to help them specifically.

Small Business Loans

La Frontera used Fair Trade premiums to fund small loans for start-up businesses by farm workers and their immediate family. Such projects provide additional income for families.

Home Improvement Project

The Fair Trade premium helped La Frontera workers and their families improve their homes and build new ones.