Strong Working Conditions in the Orchard

At Bostock New Zealand, an apple producer that has been Fair Trade Certified for the past seven years, workers play a vital role in a highly technical farming process. This careful work stretches across the entire growing and harvest seasons. Teams harvest the apples between late February and May. However, critical work begins long before picking starts. It requires precise pruning, protection from changing weather, and close monitoring to support excellent fruit quality. During a recent visit, Fair Trade USA Producer Services Field Advisor Leona Adante observed the level of care required throughout the orchards. "It was my first time seeing all the steps they do before the harvesting season," she said. "I realized apples are like children because you need to guide them to grow a certain way, nurture them for their colors to be more vibrant, sprinkle them protection from drastic weather, and carefully pick them before sending them to the other side of the world." This close attention to detail drives the success of the entire harvest. Most staff members at Bostock are migrant workers. Out of 210 total workers, 182 participate in New Zealand's Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) Program. This initiative allows approved companies to hire people from specific countries for seasonal agricultural work. The program features strict labor and housing rules, along with regular government monitoring to verify compliance. Maintaining participation in the RSE Program requires significant oversight. Today, only a limited number of companies in New Zealand continue to meet these high standards. While the structure of seasonal employment can make some Fair Trade labor rules complex to put into practice, Bostock consistently strengthens its daily operations and worker engagement. Furthermore, workers enjoy access to high quality housing that many consider the best in the local area. Workers at Bostock also actively participate in the Fair Trade program and understand the goals of the Fair Trade Committee and its premium projects. In addition to supporting local priorities, Community Development Funds contribute to major projects in Bali, Indonesia, where a large group of the workforce lives. These funded projects include tree planting, waste management, and recycling programs. They also provide WiFi access for schools, cultural dance and karate classes for children, and community blood donation drives. After completing their usual seven month stay in New Zealand, workers return home to Bali. There, they help launch the projects approved by the general assembly. For these specific initiatives, workers coordinate directly with local community leaders to organize activities and reach people in need. Support from the Fair Trade USA Producer Services team helps build strong worker participation and reinforces a lasting commitment to these vital community led efforts.