Blueberries in the winter. Pears in the summer. Where does this fruit come from? As we've seen with the volcano eruption in Iceland grinding international food systems to a halt, much of it comes from all over the world--often in countries where fruit wars still rage and landlords reign with abusive labor practices. In a global economy, much of what we consume and its means of production exist as far away in our minds as its place of origin does in kilometers. But now, thanks to Interrupcion, you can know just where your fruit is coming from--and you can feel good about it, too.

Interrupcion is a hybrid model in which exchange between consumers, businesses and producers positively impacts social, economic and environmental sustainability from seed to sale. The nonprofit arm promotes socially responsible business and citizen participation, working directly with producers and cooperatives to create premium, organic, fair-trade food.

The for-profit arm then sells the products (ranging from the juiciest pears to the most delicious tapenades) abroad at a "social premium." $3 from every crate sold goes directly back to the nonprofit to support the system and everyone within it. Furthermore, Interrupcion organizes and empowers the workers themselves to collectively identify their most pressing issues and allocate the premiums to address them. (Initiatives for Interrupcion's blueberry producers range from a community bakery to a wheelchair for a boy with severe disabilities).

Part of Interrupcion's work is educating consumers about food chain issues as well. And for those who question the market for an informed consumer base, the proof is now in the fair-trade pudding that companies can do good and do well too. The group has gone from working with 300 farmers to 8,000 in the past 2 years, recorded $2.2 million in revenue in '09, and is looking to grow by 200-300% in 2010).

Now you have your cake, eat it, and have it fuel a fair trade revolution too! Now that's what I call Character Approved. Check out Interrupcion at http://www.interrupcionfairtrade.com.

[Image: Interrupcion]