Supporting Food Security and Income

Flower workers at Agroganadera Espinosa Chiriboga S.A. in Latacunga, Ecuador, have participated in Fair Trade for nearly 20 years, using Community Development Funds to address priorities identified through worker consultations. Through their Fair Trade Committee, workers have developed a consistent approach to project implementation grounded in transparency and accountability, and in 2025 directed $35,250 USD toward two complementary initiatives focused on household nutrition and income diversification. The first initiative provided subsidies for 200 workers to acquire small farm animals, including pigs, chickens, guinea pigs, and sheep. The second distributed vegetable seedlings and garden plants at no cost, enabling workers to cultivate fruits and vegetables at home. Both projects responded to concerns raised during worker consultations: limited access to varied nutrition and the value of additional sources of household income beyond wages. Together, the livestock and home gardens gave families more control over their food supply while creating opportunities to sell surplus products. Workers and their families took an active role in caring for the animals and tending the gardens, building practical knowledge around food production that can continue to benefit households over time. Throughout the year, the Fair Trade Committee monitored distributions and verified that each planned allocation reached its intended recipients. For 600 beneficiaries, these investments added a layer of resilience, strengthening both the household diet and the financial stability of worker families.