American grocery co-ops have raised over $25,000 in the past year for community projects in rural Argentina!
A year ago, we began selling Riojana wines from La Riojana cooperative in Argentina. In addition to carrying the wines, we introduced the wine co-op to other American grocery co-ops and offered to split shipping containers of incoming wine, enabling smaller co-ops to carry the wines as well.
Because the wines are fair trade, each case sold includes a one-dollar fair trade premium (in addition to the fair price paid); the premium is used to fund community projects like the Tilimuqui water tower and new school. Since September 4, 2015, Weaver Street Market has sold 3700 cases of Riojana wine. The Riojana malbec has been our #1 selling wine for the past year. Across the United States, co-ops have sold 25,180 cases, resulting in $25,180 in fair trade premiums! Upcoming projects include installing solar panels and certifying growers as organic.
We’re excited to announce the impending arrival of Riojana’s reserva wines, which should be here in time for the holidays. Riojana olive oil is also arriving before the holidays. This organic, fair trade olive oil offers the same community benefits to the growers in Argentina. Look for it in stores around Halloween.
Thanks to everyone for your support of La Riojana cooperative!