Respect for Local Culture Fair trade is a component of the quality of life and social justice aspects of agricultural sustainability. Do you buy Fair Trade products? to create a just and sustainable global economic system in which purchasing and production choices are made with concern for the well-being of people and the environment, creating a world where all people have viable economic options to meet their own needs. 5. … Fair trade supporters believe that by incentivizing changes in the supply chain of certain products it is possible to introduce changes in the rural … A 2015 article in MarketWatch reports that the amount of Fair Trade apparel and home goods on the market grew to almost five times its former size during 2014. Decent Conditions Fair Trade Fair trade standards are enforced by the Fairtrade Labeling Organizations International (FLO) (in the U.S. by Fair Trade USA ). The bottom line is, while the two groups have different approaches, there isn’t enough evidence to say that Fairtrade International’s standards are inherently better or stronger than Fair Trade USA’s. It’s used in a variety of products, both organic and conventional, including chocolate bars, hot chocolate mix, and ice cream. Currently, there are about 500 different products certified as Fair for Life, all made by companies that meet the Fair for Life standards. When you buy fair trade products, you can enjoy peace of mind. Individual companies pay dues to the Federation and get the right to display its label, showing that they’re committed to the principles of Fair Trade. The Fair Trade Federation (FTF) is not a certification program; rather, it’s a membership organization for U.S. and Canadian companies that follow Fair Trade principles. They worked with other associations as well as the mass media to spread the message and create an awareness of their fair trade initiative. We may have financial relationships with some of the companies mentioned on this website. "Fair Trade is a trading partnership, based on dialogue, transparency and respect, that seeks greater equity in international trade. You can find out more under “Company Certification” on their website. Paul Rice, the CEO of Fair Trade USA, claimed this move was the best way to help the world’s poorest farmers, who weren’t really benefiting from the existing Fair Trade rules. In a 2012 interview with Just Means, Rice pointed out that small-scale farmers usually don’t have enough land to support their entire families, so many members end up working on the large coffee plantations. Extending Fair Trade to the large plantations, he argued, is the best way to make sure those workers get the same fair wages and decent conditions as those who work for the collectives. The Fair for Life label can be used for nearly any type of goods – food or non-food, raw material or finished product – and certain types of services as well. The growth has thrown into question the very definition of fair trade and exposed rifts between the movement’s founders. A growing need for updated information on fair trade labels. The FTF is a force in the global fair trade movement’s efforts to alleviate poverty and promote sustainable and equitable trading partnerships. There are more than 500 certified Fair for Life products including mangoes, almonds, aloe vera, apples, asparagus, avocados, tea, rice, soaps and shampoos, chocolate, spices, coconut oil, grapes, honey, pears, shea butter, wine and more. The interest of producers, especially small farmers and artisans, is the main focus in all the policies, governance, structures and decision making within the WFTO. Respectful Relationships The main reason for the split was that the two programs didn’t agree on what their standards should be for coffee growers. Fair-trade definition is - to market (a commodity) in compliance with the provisions of a fair-trade agreement. They claimed that the only meaningful way to improve the lives of coffee growers was to focus on “disenfranchised” small farmers rather than expanding to larger plantations. If you see a #fairtrade label on a product, it supports the welfare of the farmer. Including families and dependents, Fairtrade International estimates that six million people directly benefit from Fairtrade.”. The have a network of Fairtrade organizations in 24 countries, including Fairtrade America. Buyers promise to pay producers promptly for their goods, and producers promise in turn to pay a fair wage to all their workers. As you may have experienced, navigating the various fair trade labels, logos and membership groups associated with the ever-increasing availability of fair trade products can be a bit difficult. Fairtrade International believes that there can be sustainable development that benefits the world’s poorest if trade is equitable and has transparency. The British newspaper The Guardian reports that global sales of Fair Trade products rose by 15% in 2013, reaching a total of £4.4 billion ($6.55 billion). World Fair Trade Organization “According to a GlobeScan Study, 73% of consumers that are aware and familiar with the Fair Trade Certified label also trust it.”, Fair Trade USA products include Apparel and Home Goods, Grains like Quinoa, Body Care, Cocoa, Coffee, Flowers, Fruits & Vegetables, Herbs & Spices, Honey, Nuts, Seafood, Spirits, Sports Balls, Sugar, Tea, and Wine. Fair for Life’s certification system is based on a non product-specified standard. According to their website, over 27,000 products carry the Fairtrade mark, sold in 120 countries. 3. 2. 6. Fair Trade guarantees farmers a reasonable minimum price for their crops, no matter how low the market price falls. Take a stroll down the coffee aisle of any large supermarket, and there’s a good chance you’ll see at least one or two bags of beans sporting a little label that says “Fair Trade.” These bags don’t look obviously different from the others on the shelf, but their price is definitely on the high end – at least $7 per pound, and as high as $15 per pound. Fair trade or Fairtrade is a social movement which aims at supporting sustainable farming and helping producers in developing countries by introducing better trading conditions for them. The fair trade landscape has grown rapidly over the past few years and with that, the number of products available has also grown. For those who care about the principles of Fair Trade, products with the Fair Trade USA label are a perfectly reasonable choice. We strive to write accurate and genuine reviews and articles, and all views and opinions expressed are solely those of the authors. Fair trade labeling organization is an international organization that sets the requisite standards for the fair trade certificate to be granted to a product. You can find these products and more in your local grocery! The Fair Trade Tourism certification label represents best-practice responsible tourism – defined by fair wages and working conditions, fair purchasing and operations, equitable distribution of benefits and respect for human rights, culture and the environment. Major sellers of Fair Trade coffee include: Most of the world’s cocoa comes from African countries, particularly Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast), where child labor and slave labor are widespread. As a leader in the global movement to make trade fair, Fairtrade supports and challenges businesses and governments and connects farmers and workers with the people who buy their products. The FAIRTRADE Mark is the most widely recognized and trusted ethical label in the world. “Years of hard work have gone into certifying all our teas Fair for Life,” … This is unfortunate, as the point of fair trade is to offer products that consumers can trust, knowing they were made as fairly as possible. Fair Trade products are a hot commodity. The point of all the fair trade labels and logos is to help the consumer decide which products to buy, yet there is a fair amount of confusion, sometimes brought on by the very language the certifiers use. Together they aren’t big enough to be … Another distinguishing aspect of Fair for Life is that they also certify entire companies. For instance, Fairtrade International requires all its coffee to come from collectives of small farmers, while Fair Trade USA also accepts coffee from large plantations run by a single company. The WFTO is a global association that has formally acknowledged up to 324 producer cooperatives, marketing companies, importers, retailers, and regional and national support organizations as fair trade. Fair for Life was developed as a complementary approach to the existing fair trade certification system: at the time it was limited to certain products and models of fair trade. Let’s dive right in! Fair Trade cocoa comes from many countries, including Bolivia, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Nicaragua, Peru, and Sri Lanka. To meet Fair Trade standards, the collectives must be democratically run, with each farmer getting a vote, and must split their profits equally among all the members. fair trade definition: 1. a way of buying and selling products that makes certain that the people who produce the goods…. Most Fair Trade programs apply to specific products and aren’t concerned with anything else the company produces (companies may produce multiple products – some Fair Trade, some not). Fair for Life, by contrast, only works with companies that provide fair wages and working conditions for all their staff, as well as their suppliers  – not just the producers of certain specific products. What does fair trade actually mean? These funds go toward projects like building new schools, providing scholarships, improving nutrition and healthcare, and digging wells. Fair-trade agreement definition is - an agreement between a producer and a seller that commodities bearing a trademark, label, or brand name belonging to the producer be sold at or above a specified price. Community Development The term “Fairtrade” is based on the concept of ensuring that the people involved in the production and manufacture of a product receive a fair deal for their trade. A tee-shirt, made from cotton can be certified, but a bracelet or a journal, however, cannot be at this time. These enterprises transform local communities, pioneer upcycling, empower women, champion refugee rights and practice organic farming. So choosing Fair Trade products can be a way to treat yourself and help others out of poverty at the same time. Buyers also extend credit to their producers – for instance, paying them in advance of the harvest – to make sure the producers have all the resources they need to turn over their goods on time. Fairtrade helps businesses of all sizes meet their sustainability and supply chain needs. Fair Trade Federation Member There are also fair trade factories, where all the products made there are certified on the factory level, but there are only a couple. It’s about cultivating economically and environmentally sustainable communities around the world, as well as delivering better products to you. The Fair Trade Certified™ seal represents thousands of products, improving millions of lives, protecting land and waterways in 45 countries and counting. In fact, in some cases, Fair Trade products actually cost slightly less than conventional equivalents. Fair Trade USA triggered a major controversy when it broke away from Fairtrade International in 2011. The term fair trade means that they receive a fair price for the goods that they produce. Determine Minimum Price & Fair Trade Premium, Set Cost of Inspection, Certification, & Licensing, The FTF is a force in the global fair trade movement’s efforts to alleviate poverty and promote sustainable and equitable trading partnerships. Read Ben & Jerry's Fairtrade story. She also maintains a personal blog, 14 Anti-Valentine’s Day Ideas for Singles Without Dates, Employers Hiring During the Coronavirus Pandemic – Job Opportunities, Tech Stocks – What They Are & Why You Should Invest in Them, Why Gas Prices Are Rising So High – Reasons for Fluctuations, 13 Best Stock Market Investment News, Analysis & Research Sites of 2021, 26 Best New Bank Account Promotions & Offers – February 2021, 18 Great Career Fields for the Future (Next 10 Years), socially responsible eating and drinking habits, 8 Ways to Buy Natural Organic Food on a Budget, 4 Tips for Socially Responsible Eating & Drinking Habits on a Budget, Zacks Trade Review - Investing Platform for the Active Trader, What Is a Food Co-op and Is It Worth Joining? The FAIRTRADE Mark is a registered certification label for products sourced from producers in developing countries. Fair trade may be a movement to support farmers and laborers in achieving better trade conditions, but it’s also a system of organizations that label products and certify producers.