How the Fair Trade Committee Expands Access to Health Care

At Hoja Verde, a flower farm in Cayambe, Ecuador, workers have used Fair Trade Premium funds to prioritize long term well being in the floriculture sector. They focused heavily on essential pillars such as health, education, and housing. Over 23 years of Fair Trade Certification, Corporación FLORSABI, the legal entity representing workers through the Fair Trade Committee, has become a trusted structure for managing these investments. Through regular consultation and dialogue, the committee identifies the most pressing needs among workers and organizes projects that respond to practical challenges affecting their households and communities. One of their most significant investments has been a comprehensive health insurance program. Recognizing that mandatory public health coverage in Ecuador was insufficient for their needs, workers took action. In 2025, the Fair Trade Committee allocated $99,400 USD of Community Development Funds to build a system providing nationwide medical access. This worker designed program now reaches 1,700 beneficiaries, offering extensive coverage for employees, their spouses, and their children. The robust insurance plan includes general medicine, traumatology, dental care, and critical preventive screenings such as mammograms and ultrasounds. Under this system, workers can easily schedule appointments, receive targeted prescriptions, and access up to $20 USD in medication support. The policy also features life and accident coverage for workers, alongside ambulatory care for family members living in other parts of the country. To maximize this impact, the program maintains partnerships with medical providers across Ecuador and hosts regular campaigns that bring specialized services closer to the workforce. Psychological support is also a key component, providing a highly utilized resource for families navigating adolescent development or relationship challenges. Serving on the Committee and guiding these life changing decisions is a deep source of pride. As committee president Luis Farinango explains, "It is the first time I have been president, and although it has been a challenge, it has also taught me a lot, especially how to work as a team, to divide responsibilities equally, and to focus on the groups that need the most support."