An organic supermarket chain says New Zealand should have a fair trade system for fruit and vegetables, just as some developing nations do for coffee beans.
Commonsense Organics says a recent survey by the Green Party highlighted that many farmers are being paid less for their produce than it costs to grow it.
Managing director Marion Wood says many New Zealanders have backed a campaign for fair trade coffee, which ensures growers in developing countries are paid a fair price for their beans, and the same premise should be applied to fruit and vegetable growers in this country.