Producer Profiles

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.
 

Quotable

“

The day was filled with fun and laughter and included games like tug of war and spoon-egg races. Everybody had fun  ”

Martine Mouton, ALG Boerdery

Programs

Women’s Leadership Strategies

Although only eight percent of ALG’s workforce consists of women, ALG recognizes the value of equity and integration. In this spirit, ALG selected a woman worker to represent them in the Fair Trade conference held in Cape Town. Her expenses and enrollment were funded by Fair Trade premiums. Consequently, her experience paves the way into a leadership position, educating her co-workers on the culture of Fair Trade.

Equipment Purchase

ALG/Cedar Citrus used Fair Trade premiums to purchase computers and secure internet access. They also purchased chairs and four television sets for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Workers were able to view this landmark event from the estate. This was the first time the world’s largest sporting event was held on the African continent.

Adult Education

ALG/Cedar Citrus have allocated Fair Trade premium funds for workers to attend Adult Basic Education and Training (ABET) classes with an on-site facilitator. In a country with such high unemployment rates, many of the ALG workers had to give up their education in favor of steady employment. Workers are now able to complete their education through ABET classes made possible by their Fair Trade premium investments.