Cedar Citrus - ALG Boerdery

Located in South Africa’s temperate region of Citrusdal, ALG Estates began producing citrus fruits as a family farm in the 1970’s. In the late 1990’s, the owners funded a redevelopment project as part of a land redistribution program. The result was Cedar Citrus, a farm on the ALG property owned by 36 of the permanent workers. The workers operate their own processing plant and produce 100 percent pure, fresh juice with no additives. The oils produced from the peels are also used in skin products, foods spices and household cleaning items. Initially, Citrusdal attracted many families to the region thanks to the vast agricultural work opportunities in a country plagued by unemployment. However, educational facilities were too distant for communities to access easily. ALG Estates, along with Cedar Citrus, became Fair Trade Certified™ to address the challenges their workers faced in accessing education. With their Fair Trade premium funds, ALG/Cedar Citrus has been able to improve their region's educational system by funding daycare centers and scholarships for workers' children. The Fair Trade premium has also allowed ALG/Cedar Citrus to implement new social and productive programs to ultimately improve their organizations administrative structure.