Understanding Fair Trade and Why It’s Important.

Understanding Fair Trade and Why It’s Important.

You may have heard people talking about Fair Trade or have seen products such as Coffee or Jewelry labeled as Fair Trade in your local health food store, but what does it really mean?

Fair Trade America (http://www.fairtradeamerica.org/) says:

“Fair trade is a global movement made up of a diverse network of producers, companies, shoppers, advocates, and organizations putting people and planet first.”

According to the World Fair Trade Organization,  (www.wfto.com) the definition of Fair Trade is “a trading partnership based on dialogue, transparency and respect that seeks greater equity in international trade”. They fight issues such as poverty and climate change and like all fair trade organizations – they put people and the planet first – before profit.

The fair trade movement has been growing for decades and for most enterprises that want to get involved and have some sort of certification to display on their products, they must sign up to become members of these Fair Trade organizations and follow strict guidelines.  

Here are a few examples of the Fair Trade labels that prove that a product is Fair Trade certified:

https://wfto.com/what-we-do#wfto-label

https://www.fairtradecertified.org/why-fair-trade/our-impact

Although every Fair Trade organization that provides these certifications may have different rules and policies for obtaining these certs, the overall theme remains the same.

Below is an example of the 10 principles an organization must follow to be certified with WFTO. It will give you a good general idea of what the standards are and what Fair Trade stands for.

1. Creating Opportunities for Economically Disadvantaged Producers

2. Transparency and Accountability

3. Fair Trading Practices

4. Fair Payment

5. Ensuring no Child Labor and Forced Labor

6. Commitment to Non Discrimination, Gender Equity and Women’s Economic Empowerment, and Freedom of Association

7. Ensuring Good Working Conditions

8. Providing Capacity Building

9. Promoting Fair Trade

10. Respect for the Environment

As you can see from the list above there are positive impacts that can be made if you support Fair Trade. Some are:

• Supporting these organizations can help the environment since these businesses are not contributing to pollution. 

• No one wants to exploit children. Fair Trade organizations ensure no child labor or forced labor is used to make their products.

• You can feel good about helping the smaller or disadvantaged producers. The sale of their products may be providing a whole village with necessary income to support themselves.

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• Even today we strive for gender equality so supporting fair trade in other countries help promote equality and empowerment. If women are empowered, a community is empowered!

How can you support fair trade?

• Purchase products with a Fair Trade label when you go grocery shopping. This could mean that the whole product or a percentage of the ingredients are from a Fair trade producer. Some well known names that exercise Fair Trade are Green Mountain Coffee Roasters and Ben & Jerry’s.

• https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/7-companies-that-exercise-fair-trade/

• Donate to the Fair Trade organizations directly. This will make a larger and more direct impact on the people involved.

• Volunteer with Fair Trade organizations to help their cause.

• Purchase Fair Trade gifts online.

Here at Happy Planet Collective we carry beautiful handcrafted art, home goods and unique jewelry made by Fair Trade partners.

Feel free to check them out on our site and thank you for supporting Fair Trade.

https://happyplanetcollective.com/Fair-Trade

Just like you, we make Mother Earth our Number #1 priority!