FRESNO, CA - Classic Fruit is pleased to announce their new Fair Trade USA Authorization for their offshore melon operations at Classic Guatemala. Aligning with their commitment to social responsibility, environmental stewardship, and integrity, the team is excited to further enhance their mission of providing high quality melons to consumers.

“For many years, Classic Guatemala has utilized Rainforest Alliance and SMETA certifications to measure our social, environmental, and sustainability efforts and objectives,” comments Paul Raggio, President at Classic Fruit, in a recent press release. “Fair Trade USA allows Classic Guatemala to operate more efficiently by consolidating these efforts and objectives desired by us and many of our customers, under a single certification process. In addition, Fair Trade USA provides an opportunity for Classic Fruit and many of our customers to enhance the lives of our Guatemalan employees and the communities they live in.”

Playing a huge role in achieving the Fair Trade Authorization was Classic Fruit’s newest hire, Andrea Griggs, who led the overall certification process. “Andrea was hired this last August to work in Food Safety Compliance at Classic Fruit,” continues Raggio. “With over 15 years of executive leadership in food safety, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance, Andrea’s expertise aligns with our commitment to maintaining high standards in food safety, product quality, and sustainable practices. She has experience establishing and/or improving food safety programs inclusive of in-house laboratories, and in collaborating with USDA and FDA through complex audits and certifications in the meat and almond industries, so Andrea was a natural choice for us.”

“I joined the company last year and immediately began researching various sustainability and social responsibility programs that aligned closely with our company's values as well as those of our partners and customers,” states Andrea Griggs. “After evaluating several options and presenting them to management, we selected Fair Trade USA as the most suitable certification as it was important to us that we align with customer expectations and strengthen the company's values-driven mission."

Finding a suitable certification that strengthens their mission was especially important for the Classic Fruit and Westside Produce Alliance. “Classic Fruit and Westside Produce have a shared commitment to food safety,” comments Garrett Patricio, President of Westside Produce. “Any certifications or standards we set must be both rigorous and embodied within our company culture. Achieving Fair Trade USA certification in our Guatemalan operation is yet another example of that commitment and having Andrea here to help with that has been instrumental.”

All in all, when it comes to the certification benefits, Griggs states how being Fair Trade certified “includes improved worker welfare, gives access to new markets, builds stronger relationships with ethical retailers, and enhances brand trust among socially conscious consumers.” These benefits only continue to recognize the importance of obtaining this certification for both the alliance and its customers and confirms their commitment to social, environmental, and economic standards as well as their commitment to ethical practices and improving conditions for farm workers.