Fair Trade
In today’s world economy, where profits rule and small-scale producers are left out of the bargaining process, farmers, craft producers, and other workers are often left without resources or hope for their future. In some areas, people—including young children—are trafficked into slavery to produce products you buy!
Fair Trade helps stop this cycle of exploitation and encompasses a range of goods from the global south, from agricultural products such as coffee, chocolate, tea, and bananas to handcrafts such as clothing, household items, and decorative arts.
Update: In 2011, TransfairUSA changed its name to Fair Trade USA, withdrew from the World Fair Trade Organization, and adopted new, weaker standards that do not meet international standards. See ‘Big Changes in Fair Trade‘ and Support Authentic Fair Trade for more information. Also in 2011, the U.S. Department of Labor reported that there has little progress in reducing forced labor—including children.
Links for more information on Fair Trade.
Fair Market Labor
From SweatFree Communities and International Labor Rights Forum: We have teamed up once again to release the Shop with a Conscience Consumer Guide filled with excellent products made in good working conditions. We believe that one of the most important criteria … more
What Is Fair Trade?
In today’s world economy, where profits rule and small-scale producers are left out of the bargaining process, farmers, craft producers, and other workers are often left without resources or hope for their future. Fair Trade helps exploited producers escape from … more
Roasters and sources for packaged Fair Trade coffee
Many of the local cafés that serve Fair Trade coffee and tea also sell bagged Fair Trade coffee. 1. Suppliers/distributors that are 100% Fair Trade organic Dean’s Beans Orange, MA 800-325-3008 Equal Exchange West Bridgewater, MA Just Coffee Madison WI … more
Lehigh Dining
As part of an Alliance internship, a Lehigh University student completed a report on dining services there. Lehigh Dining, operated by Sodexo, has made many improvements in the area of waste reduction, including phasing out Styrofoam and replacing it with reusable take-out … more
The End of Capitalism, Part 3
Social Limits and the Crisis MC: Capitalism has faced many moments of crisis over time. Is there something different about the present crisis? What makes the end of capitalism a possibility now? AK: As I described in the last section, … more
Campus Sustainability Initiative
The campus sustainability initiative grew out of a project with Lehigh University student Victorija Danta, who was working to support climate protection efforts here in Bethlehem. As part of her internship, we created a Climate Protection Agreement for schools (which … more
Youth Peacemaker Training
[This is a sample program from the 2005 Youth Peacemaker Training] Youth Peacemaker Training Saturday, April 30th, 2005 – 9:30 am to 3 pm Share your ideas and experiences! Participate with students from other schools At Youth Peacemaker Training you will explore … more