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 this cycle and gives them a way to maintain their traditional lifestyles with dignity. Fair Trade encompasses a range of goods from the global south coffee, from agricultural products such as chocolate, tea, and bananas to handcrafts such as clothing, household items, and decorative arts.
FairTrade campaigns and stores offer a variety of ways for you to support this growing movement for social justice!
Fair Trade principles:
- Producers receive a fair price – a living wage. For commodities, farmers receive a stable, minimum price.
- Forced labor and exploitative child labor are not allowed
- Buyers and producers trade under direct long-term relationships
- Producers have access to financial and technical assistance
- Sustainable production techniques are encouraged
- Working conditions are healthy and safe
- Equal employment opportunities are provided for all
- All aspects of trade and production are open to public accountability
Fair Trade products can be identified by a FairTrade label or the logo on a product. The FairTrade system involves non-profit organizations in 17 different countries, all affiliated with Fairtrade Labeling Organizations International. In the USA, FairTrade America authorizes the FairTrade label on coffee, cocoa, tea, bananas, and a wide variety of other products. This label is product-specific, meaning that its presence on one product doesn’t mean that all of the companies’ products are Fair Trade.
The FairTrade system benefits over 800,000 farmers organized into cooperatives and unions in 48 countries. Fair Trade has helped farmers provide for their families’ basic needs and invest in community development. However, these farmers are still selling most of their crop outside of the Fair Trade system because not enough companies are buying at Fair Trade prices. Help increase the demand for Fair Trade among companies, retailers, and consumers! Learn how you can get involved and make a real difference for small-scale producers!
What about family farmers and farmworkers struggling to make ends meet in the USA?
You can ensure equity and sustainability in domestic agriculture by buying local organic produce from farmers’ markets, co-ops, and Community Supported Agriculture groups, and by looking for the union label on produce items. Yes, you can have it all!
Fair Trade provides a sustainable model of international trade based on economic justice. It means an equitable and fair partnership between consumers in the Global North and producers in the Global South — and is an alternative to sweatshop production. Please join us in supporting Fair Trade and using our consumer power to create a better world for all!
—Source: Global Exchange
- Fair Trade Resources & Info
- Roasters and sources for bagged Fair Trade coffee
Most religious and charitable relief groups support Fair Trade! More info… →
More info: • Global Exchange • FairTrade America