I was first introduced to the idea of Fair Trade a few years back when a nearby store opened, selling Fair Trade clothing, crafts, coffee, and chocolate. I’ve discovered since then that the term “Fair Trade” refers to a few different concepts.
There’s a Fair Trade certification, run in the US by TransFair USA.
Fair Trade certification is a market-based model benefiting over a million farmers and farm workers in 58 developing countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America. When a consumer buys something with a Fair Trade label, they are making sure that the makers and growers of these products are getting a fair wage for their efforts.
What is covered under the TransFair USA Certification?
- Coffee,
- Tea and herbs,
- Cocoa and chocolate,
- Fresh fruit,
- Sugar,
- Rice,
- Flowers,
- Vanilla,
- Honey and spices
More than 35,000 retail establishments in the United States carry Fair Trade certified products.
Fair Trade means:
- Fair prices
- Fair labor conditions
- Direct trade (removing middlemen)
- Democratic and transparent organizations
- Community development
- Environmental sustainable farming methods