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What is "Fair Trade"?
"Fair Trade" is a different way for consumers in North American markets to interact with producers of goods in underdeveloped countries. Fair trade organizations offer a fair price to artisans, craftsmen, and farmers and work to improve their living and working conditions. Expenses are kept low, and there is no exorbitant markup by the "middle man." People who purchase items through fair trade partnerships can be assured that they are directly supporting poor and struggling artists and farmers. Why buy fair trade goods?
Ever worry that the clothes you buy are made in sweatshops? Or that your shoes were made by children earning mere pennies? Or that the makers of the coffee you drink have been exploiting the farmers who grow it, not to mention exploiting the earth itself? Well, with fair trade products, you don't have to worry about any of those concerns. The fair trade name is given to products which have been produced according to fair trade standards. It's about working people earning a living wage; it's about healthier and safer working conditions; it's about providing people the means to help themselves; it's about environmentally friendly cultivation; it's about sustainable development; it's about equal opportunity; it's about social justice; it's about fairness! Fair trade is not a handout - it is not charity. It is better than aid: it is a way for people in underdeveloped areas to take more control of their lives and work their way out of poverty. Where do I find fair trade items?
There's a good chance you can already find a sampling of fair trade foods in your local supermarket - not just in specialty high-end groceries. And if your market doesn't carry fair trade items, ask them to! Look for a fair trade logo to know that the foodstuffs you are buying have been certified "fair trade." Many fair trade items are available for purchase through catalogs and web sites online; some retail establishments also offer fair trade products. Each year, the Global Holiday Faire in Vallejo offers hundreds of items (everything from food to jewelry to clothing to home decor) for purchase through fair trade organizations. Explore the links page to find places to shop for fair trade goods. |