Home Improvements for Tomato Workers Families

Tomato workers at Wholesum Farms Arizona leveraged their Fair Trade Committee to address a critical community need: housing. By directing the Fair Trade Funds toward a new home improvement project, the workers are helping facilitate safer, more comfortable living conditions for their families. During a comprehensive needs assessment led by the Fair Trade Committee, workers identified housing conditions as a top priority. Many households required support to repair damaged areas of their homes, maintain major kitchen appliances, or make small construction improvements. The challenge was finding a practical way to provide flexible support that addressed these varied housing needs without straining individual household budgets. In September 2025, workers approved the use of $50,000 USD in Community Development Funds to launch a home improvement project benefiting 50 workers and their families. The project allows participating workers to invest in household needs that matter most to them. Funds can be used to purchase construction materials, install solar panels,carry out home repairs, improve living spaces, or obtain essential household appliances that support daily family life. Through this initiative, 50 workers each year will receive economical support to improve their current living conditions and address priorities identified by their families. The project contributes to safer and more functional living spaces, helping workers and their households maintain stable and comfortable homes while continuing their work in tomato production.