IMC recognizes that our consumers are becoming more conscious of their food sources. As such, we have adopted a traceability process which enables us to rectify and isolate any problems that may arise from production, through accurate identification and isolation of the root cause. But what does this level of accountability really mean to our buyers?
Traceability is a system for meeting the expectations of our buyers and for assuring them that our grower is indeed meeting their requirements.
Using a completely auditable system, our traceability standards allows us to locate every pack of organic coconut sugar back to its packing lot, production batch, farmer, and down to the specific tree. This process is made simpler as a fully-integrated producer of our product. We are able to identify at any specific stage of the supply chain (from production to distribution), where the sugar came from and to where it went, meeting the stringent conditions of BRCGs Food Safety standards. This level of traceability promotes accountability and responsibility amongst our farmers, spurring them to deliver only products of the highest quality.
This level of transparency in our products is truly beneficial to our consumers, but the requirements can represent certain barriers to trade for farmers. They may lack the resources to comply with the strict standards, particularly requirements for tracking and monitoring environmental and supply chain variables. As highlighted in previous episodes, our farmers are at the heart of everything we do, which is why our FAIRTRADE certification makes a difference in the lives of the people who grow and create the product we love. “It’s all about making trade fair.” – FairTrade
For our farmers, Fairtrade means:
Prices that aim to cover the average costs of producing their crop sustainably – a vital safety net when market prices drop.
The Fairtrade Premium – an extra sum of money paid on top of the selling price to invest in business or community projects of their choice.
Decent working conditions and a ban on discrimination, forced labour and child labour.
Access to advance credit ahead of harvest time.
Being able to plan more for the future with more security and stronger relationships with buyers.
As for our consumers:
A product with the FAIRTRADE Mark means the producers and businesses have met the stringent Fairtrade social, economic, and environmental standards.
According to a 2015 GlobeScan study of consumers in 15 countries, more than 50 percent of consumers are familiar with the FAIRTRADE Mark and of those, 80 percent say they have a more positive perception of brands that carry it.
By meeting the demands of our consumers and the needs of our farmers, IMC aims to bridge this gap and increase the values we contribute to our food network.