IMG Citrus Earns Fair Trade Certification in Florida
The company becomes the first Florida citrus grower to meet international social, economic, and environmental standards.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Organic Food
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IMG Citrus has secured Fair Trade USA certification for its Florida operations, marking a first for any citrus grower in the state. The move introduces the state's first Fair Trade Certified grapefruit to the market.
Why it matters
This certification establishes a formal framework for responsible agriculture across the company's supply network. It aims to strengthen the organization's year-round commitment to ethical and sustainable sourcing platforms.
IMG Citrus contributes 2 cents for every pound of certified citrus sold to a Community Development Fund. The program encompasses a variety of produce, including lemons, limes, mandarins, Orri tangerines, oranges, and Florida grapefruit.
The players
IMG Citrus
This is a citrus growing operation based in Florida that has become the first of its kind to earn Fair Trade USA certification.
Fair Trade USA
This is a nonprofit organization that operates a certification program focused on social, economic, and environmental standards for agricultural goods.
The details
Workers at the company hold the authority to decide how assets in the Community Development Fund are utilized based on their identified local priorities. The Florida grapefruit included in this program is cultivated using specialized Citrus Under Protective Screens production methods.
Timeline
October 28, 2026: IMG Citrus publicly announced its new Fair Trade certification.
Culture Shift
The adoption of Fair Trade USA certification standards signifies a broader movement toward corporate accountability in domestic agriculture. By integrating these practices, the company aligns with a growing consumer demand for supply chain transparency that transcends legacy farming models.
Shoppers in Florida can now purchase grapefruit that carries the Fair Trade label for the first time. These purchasing decisions directly influence the growth of the Community Development Fund, which empowers workers to prioritize their own local investments.
The takeaway
Consumers looking to support ethical agriculture can now identify certified Florida citrus products in the marketplace. By choosing these goods, buyers help sustain a model where workers directly govern the use of supplemental development funds.
Further reading
Learn more about sustainable farming initiatives in the Florida Organic Food section.
More information
For more information on the company's farming practices, visit the company official website.
Source note: This article includes information reported by South Lake Tablet.
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