The story behind it
ImpactFairtrade Premium
Ethical trade and fulfilling social responsibility towards the whole community is a major priority at Merwida.
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By purchasing a bottle of Fairtrade-certified Merwida wine, you ensure your wine was produced to high labour standards with no child or forced labour involved. You also ensure that sustainable farming methods have been used in the vineyards, with no GMOs and strict regulations on pesticide use. You contribute towards the Fairtrade development premium that invests in social and economic projects for the whole community – directly impacting a total of 792 beneficiaries. The funding currently supports 75 preschool children, 110 primary school children, 70 high school children and 103 children in after-school care. It provides over 155 lunches daily for the children, and 6 buses for the safe transportation of the children and workers. The funding further supports the programmes of 5 sporting activities and facilities (soccer, rugby, netball, angling and dominos), the schooling programme (covering all uniforms, stationery, and school fees), elderly programmes, social clubs for parents and a driving licence programme which allows up to 24 workers to qualify for their licence.
Furthermore, the funding has helped to set up the infrastructure for 2 creches, 1 clinic, 2 after-school facilities, and 260 clinic appointments for our beneficiaries. In the future, through the use of this funding, Merwida aims to have more children complete high school education and support them into tertiary education – while converting all the workers' housing and facilities into energy-self-sufficient, off-the-grid infrastructure.
Fairtrade is the most recognized and trusted sustainability label in the world.
The Fairtrade Premium is an extra sum paid on every Fairtrade sale. Farmers and workers decide together how to spend it.
"The Fairtrade “eco-system”, as we like to call it, creates a wonderful positive feedback loop on the farm.
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By following the sustainable and environmentally friendly farming practices and adhering to the highest level of labour standards that are set out by Fairtrade, you ensure that your workers have a positive and supportive work environment on the farm. The premium that is received for every bottle of Fairtrade wine sold, goes straight back to our workers, who can then utilise the funds for investments such as the after-school centre. This positive feedback loop [work done on the farm - wine sold -Premium received - Socially uplifting Investment made] creates a sense of pride among the workers which reinforces the positive work environment even further.”
