- link Copy URL - [ Share on X ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Fairtrade America Rallies Support for Farmers Threatened by Historic El Niño https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/1350321?absolute=1&via=3blnews "Share on X") - [ Share on linkedin ](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/1350321?absolute=1 "Share on Linkedin") - [ Share on facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/1350321?absolute=1 "Share on Facebook") - [ email Share via email ](mailto:?subject=Fairtrade America Rallies Support for Farmers Threatened by Historic El Niño&body=News from Fairtrade America https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/1350321?absolute=1 "Share via email") [Environment](/categories/environment) # Fairtrade America Rallies Support for Farmers Threatened by Historic El Niño ##### Fairtrade America sets $100,000 fundraising goal to support farming communities facing one of the strongest forecasted El Niño events in history Nov 9, 2026 12:30 PM ET WASHINGTON, D.C., November 9, 2026 /3BL/ - Fairtrade America today announced the launch of the [**El Niño Recovery and Resilience Fund**](https://www.fairtrade.net/us-en/fairtrade-america-el-nino-recovery-and-resilience-fund-.html), a new initiative designed to help Fairtrade-certified farmers and workers around the world withstand and recover from the severe impacts of the forecasted 2026 El Niño event. With meteorological agencies now forecasting "super" El Niño conditions through the end of the year, farming communities across Asia, Africa, and Latin America are preparing for significant disruptions to rainfall, temperature, and storm patterns. These conditions can lead to droughts, flooding, heat stress, hurricanes, crop losses, and disruptions to livelihoods, placing added pressure on smallholder farmers who are already on the frontlines of climate change. To help address these challenges, Fairtrade America is launching the El Niño Recovery and Resilience Fund with founding support from [Frontier Co-op](https://www.frontiercoop.com/?msclkid=a10e91760a531dd6129efb87e53b28e6&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=**LP%20-%20TM%20-%20General%20-%20HV&utm_term=Frontier%20Co-Op&utm_content=Frontier%20Co-Op). The fund aims to raise **$100,000** to support Fairtrade-certified farming organizations and workers affected by El Niño-related weather events. “Our global supply chains depend on the resilience of the farming communities behind them. As climate-related natural disasters become increasingly frequent and disruptive, companies like ours have an important role to play in helping farmers and communities recover and prepare for the future,” said Tony Bedard, CEO, Frontier Co-op. “We’re proud to support this fund with our partners at Fairtrade. We'd encourage other companies and brands to join us in supporting the farmers who make our products possible." Fairtrade America and Frontier Co-op together committed $30,000 to launch the fund and are calling on businesses, foundations, and organizations to match their investments. "Fairtrade farmers provide many of the products people rely on every day, from coffee and cocoa to bananas and tea. As climate impacts intensify, we have a responsibility to stand alongside these communities and ensure they have the resources needed not only to recover, but to build resilience for the future," said Amanda Archila, Executive Director, Fairtrade America. "We're proud to stand with Frontier Co-op, and we are looking forward to seeing other organizations step up and join this critical effort." Funds raised will help eligible Fairtrade-certified organizations access resources that support recovery and long-term resilience. Depending on local needs and fund criteria, support may be used for activities such as restoring agricultural production, rehabilitating damaged infrastructure, replacing lost tools and equipment, implementing climate adaptation measures, and strengthening community preparedness for future weather shocks. Supporting farming communities' long-term needs post-disaster is critical to the future of strained supply chains, like those that bring cocoa, coffee, and bananas to American grocery stores. Fairtrade America will use existing grant-making structures managed by affiliated regional producer support networks in [Africa](https://www.fairtrade.net/africa-en.html), [Asia and the Pacific](https://www.fairtrade.net/napp-en.html), and [Latin America and the Caribbean](https://clac-comerciojusto.org/) to quickly distribute funding to smallholder farmers. This will build on approaches implemented during other crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic when [Fairtrade mobilized more than $16 million for COVID-19 relief](https://www.fairtrade.net/en/get-involved/library/supporting-fairtrade-farmers-and-workers-during-the-covid-19-pan.html) and recovery distributed through Producer Relief and Resilience Funds to more than 580 farming organizations and reaching an estimated 475,000 people. Fairtrade producer networks have been operating Climate Relief and Recovery Funds to mobilize support and provide long-term recovery from climate disasters since 2021. Recent activations of the Funds include [$74,000 mobilized and 22 grants distributed](https://www.fairtrade.net/us-en/news/How-Fairtrades-Climate-Disaster-Relief-and-resilience-Fund-Is-Supporting-Long-Term-Recovery-in-Indonesia-and-Sri-Lanka.html) to farming organizations for long-term recovery efforts in response to a severe cyclone that impacted Sri Lanka and Indonesia in 2025. **How to Support the Fund** Fairtrade America welcomes contributions from mission aligned businesses, foundations, and organizations who want to help farming communities recover from the impacts of extreme weather and strengthen their resilience to future climate shocks. Contributors will have the opportunity to demonstrate leadership in climate resilience and sustainable sourcing while supporting the farmers and workers who make global agricultural supply chains possible. Organizations interested in contributing to the fund can contact Natalie Petrulla, Sr. Manager, Strategic Partnerships & Programs at or visit [Fairtrade.net](https://www.fairtrade.net/us-en/fairtrade-america-el-nino-recovery-and-resilience-fund-.html) for more information about partnership opportunities and contribution requirements. **About Fairtrade America** Fairtrade America works to rebalance trade, making it a system rooted in partnership and mutual respect rather than exploitation. It's about businesses, shoppers, farmers and workers all working together so we can all experience the benefits of trade. Fairtrade America is the U.S. branch of Fairtrade International, the original and global leader in fair trade certification with more than 30 years of experience working for fair trading practices in more than 60 countries across the globe. A non-profit 501(c)3 organization, Fairtrade America is part of the world's largest and most recognized fair trade certification program —part of a global movement for change. Learn more at fairtrade.net, and by connecting with Fairtrade America on [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/FairtradeMarkUS/), [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/fairtrademarkus/) and [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/fairtrade-america/?viewAsMember=true). **Media Contact** Liz Davis, ldavis@fairtradeamerica.org | +1 202-930-4349 [![Fairtrade America Logo](/sites/default/files/2024-08/FBM_USA_HORZ_RGB_POS.png)](/profiles/fairtrade-america)