What is this fair trade business about, you ask?Well, it's Trade that is fair. Decent wages. Safe working conditions. A global marketplace that works for all. Natural resources that will be around for our children’s children. Helping everyone—even people we may never meet. Fair trade is a commitment to social justice in which employees and farmers are treated and paid fairly, sustainable environmental practices are followed and long-term trade relationships are fostered.
(From the TransFair USA website)...
Fair Trade Certification empowers farmers and farm workers to lift themselves out of poverty by investing in their farms and communities, protecting the environment, and developing the business skills necessary to compete in the global marketplace.
Fair Trade is much more than a fair price! Fair Trade principles include:
Fair price: Democratically organized farmer groups receive a guaranteed minimum floor price and an additional premium for certified organic products. Farmer organizations are also eligible for pre-harvest credit.
Fair labor conditions: Workers on Fair Trade farms enjoy freedom of association, safe working conditions, and living wages. Forced child labor is strictly prohibited.
Direct trade: With Fair Trade, importers purchase from Fair Trade producer groups as directly as possible, eliminating unnecessary middlemen and empowering farmers to develop the business capacity necessary to compete in the global marketplace.
Community development: Fair Trade farmers and farm workers invest Fair Trade premiums in social and business development projects like scholarship programs, quality improvement trainings, and organic certification.
Environmental sustainability: Harmful agrochemicals and GMOs are strictly prohibited in favor of environmentally sustainable farming methods that protect farmers’ health and preserve valuable ecosystems for future generations.
Products widely available Fair Trade Certified:
Coffee - liguid planet is my favorite so far, available at our local Save Mart grocery
Tea - i'm not a big tea drinker, i tend to buy whatever looks good at Trader Joe's
Chocolate - I love love love Endangered Species chocolate (available at Target) it's a little expensive, so i try to just buy less, so that i can still support the company.
Things that i have yet to buy fair trade, but seem to be available in some places:
Bananas
Crafts and Jewelry
Beauty Products (Shea Butter, Coconut Oil)
For more information on fair trade, check out these organizations:
New American Dream (my favorite)
image courtesy of New American Dream
2 comments:
uuh... i only buy corporate coffee. thanks anyway!
just kidding.
i read that article on plastic water and it made me sick and i talked about it all day. *SPEW* what are we doing to this world and ourselves?
when i was at work, this girl that worked there asked for water. "do u want a glass mug?"
"no, that's just one more thing for you to wash."
i held up the plastic cup and said "this is one more thing for the environment."
"chhh... so?"
that made me sad. she's a Christian, but i'm giving her grace. the next time she asked for water, i reached for a glass mug again and she just stared at me like "ok, that's not funny, get me the plastic one" so i did but as i handed it to her i said "if we dont take care of the world, who will?"
that's my story. be blessed. tell brian what's up (even though that's more of a question and it's weird how we've turned questions that we dont want or expect answers to as greetings. do you want to write on that or should i?).
yeah, i think it can be difficult to convince other people to care about the environment - our culture just doesn't value it. being counter-culture hardly ever goes over very well. even with christians. keep on spreading the tree hugging love with the way you live. it will make some people think and ask questions, others won't care and who knows, maybe someone will make it interesting and get mad :)
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