Sustainable & Fair Trade

As an importer and distributor of certified organic foods, Ciranda is naturally dedicated to ecological and environmental safety and sustainable food production.   But we take our commitment a step further.  How? By considering the role of people – and economic fairness – in our global vision of sustainability.

Most of Ciranda’s ingredients come from the developing world.  Our frequent visits to farmers and manufacturing facilities in regions throughout the world allow us to observe living and working conditions firsthand, and identify ways to improve peoples’ lives. Ongoing social engagement with our growers and manufacturers is one way we promote ethical treatment of workers and improve standards in our industry.

The terms ‘fair trade’ and ‘social responsibility’ are generally understood among industry certifiers.  All agree that farmers and workers must earn a living wage and have opportunities to consistently improve their social or ecological environment.

This translates into paying fair minimum prices for their commodities and paying premiums for their fair trade lots via the exporter or manufacturer. It means engaging in social projects to improve schooling, literacy, healthcare, and access to clean drinking water. It also requires a commitment to improving the natural habitat, including improving forest diversity and keeping rivers clean.

Ciranda also participates in Fair Trade programs linked to individual food groups.  These include:

TransFair / FLO
For cocoa products, chocolate and honey

Instituto BioDinamico IBD - EcoSocial, Brazil
For palm oil products and honey

BioAgriCoop - OperAequa, Italy
For tapioca products

EcoCert Fair Trade, France
For coconut oil and desiccated coconut

Ciranda also participates in organizations such as the Round Table for Sustainable Palm Oil, which brings all major palm oil growers, manufacturers and users together to develop standards and certifications to help maintain and improve the tropical rainforest.

Finally, we support sustainability by taking small steps in our own individual lives - like replacing an energy-intensive lawn with a prairie garden and creating a rainwater catch system.