Fair Trade USA and Flor de Caña Partner to Bring Fair Trade Certified™ Rum to the Global Community

OAKLAND, May 23, 2018 /3BL Media/ - Fair Trade USA, the leading certifier of Fair Trade products in North America, welcomed Flor de Caña premium rum to the Fair Trade community after certifying that the raw ingredients used in the production of the Nicaraguan rum are produced under rigorous social and environmental standards - covering areas like safe working conditions, protection of fundamental human rights and environmental best practices. Flor de Caña is proud of its partnership with Fair Trade USA to bring Fair Trade Certified rum to the global community by mid 2018.

This certification not only raises the bar for the global spirits industry, but also assures consumers that with every purchase of Fair Trade Certified Flor de Caña rum, the workers earn a financial premium called the Community Development Fund. Workers vote together on how to use this money for projects of their choosing. It could be a health clinic, a school, scholarship funds, environmental projects, or anything the community identifies as a pressing need. This is the Fair Trade difference –our everyday choices, empowering others to improve their lives on their own terms.

“In the spirits industry, the trend toward environmental sustainability and social responsibility is just beginning,” said Paul Rice, President & CEO of Fair Trade USA. “Flor de Caña is one of the early trailblazers in this space, and is one of just a few spirits companies to adopt Fair Trade practices in their supply chain. We’re excited by this partnership and the ripple effect that it’s poised to create.”

(Watch to learn more about Flor de Caña's commitment and impact here)

Sustainable growth has been a core value of Flor de Caña throughout its 125-year history, with a holistic focus on the Environment, Employees and Community.

Flor de Caña’s commitment to the environment can be seen through the company’s industry-leading practices – the rum has been distilled using 100% renewable energy for over a decade. For the past 12 years, the team at Flor de Caña has planted 50,000 trees annually to help protect the environment.

Since 1913 the company school offers free education to the 600 children of its employees and since 1958 the company hospital offers free medical attention to its employees and their families (over 2,500 births to date)

Beyond the employees, Flor de Caña has long focused on the community around them, the people of Nicaragua. For more than 25 years, the brand has been the main donor of APROQUEN, a Nicaraguan non-profit founded in 1991, that has provided over 500,000 free medical services to child burn victims and children with cleft lip or palate.

Flor de Caña joins more than 1,300 companies across the globe working to bring over 30 different Fair Trade product categories to market. In addition to rum, shoppers can find Fair Trade Certified coffee, tea, cocoa, sugar, produce, seafood, apparel, home goods and much more. Since 1998, Fair Trade USA and its partners have delivered over $500 million in financial impact to producers around the world.

About Fair Trade USA
Fair Trade USA is a nonprofit organization that promotes sustainable livelihoods for farmers and workers, protects fragile ecosystems, and builds strong, transparent supply chains through independent, third-party certification. Its trusted Fair Trade Certified™ seal signifies that rigorous standards have been met in the production, trade and promotion of Fair Trade products from countries across the globe. Recognized as a leading social venture by the Clinton Global Initiative, the Skoll Foundation and Ashoka, Fair Trade USA also provides critical capacity-building programs at origin, and educates consumers about the power of their purchase. Visit www.FairTradeCertified.org for more information.

About Flor de Caña Rum
Flor de Caña is a super premium, 5th generation family estate rum from Nicaragua. Enriched by an active volcano, naturally aged without sugar, additives or artificial ingredients and distilled with 100% renewable energy. It is present in over 40 countries and was named the 2017 Best Rum Producer of the Year by the International Wine and Spirits Competition in London. www.flordecana.com