For years, small farmers in the Brazilian states of Rio Grande de Norte and Alagoas struggled against large-scale farmers to get access to markets to sell their produce. But through World Vision’s Fair Trade program, farmers have seen their small crops quickly become big business.

The fair trade movement attempts to create trade relationships that benefit both consumers and producers, especially those in developing countries. Since World Vision’s fair trade program was established in 1999, farmers have worked together in a cooperative to provide melons, cashew nuts, green peppers and pineapple to international markets. The average income of families involved in the program has nearly tripled.

“To see that families, especially children and women, are getting a better quality of life as their income increases is encouraging,” said World Vision president Rich Stearns, who last month visited the project. “The fair trade program has become an important tool to help World Vision accomplish its mission.”