Fair Trade

What is Fair Trade?
Fair Trade is a relationship between consumers and producers. It ensures that producers are paid a fair, living wage for their products. Over a million farmers and workers in over 50 developing countries, and even in the United States, participate in Fair Trade.

Why choose Fair Trade products?
There are a number of benefits from choosing Fair Trade products:

Living wages for farmers enables them to support their families and contribute to their communities
Communities can use Fair Trade funds to invest in local businesses, healthcare, and education
Democracy is encouraged by Fair Trade business practices through accountability, transparency and independence
Small- scale farmers supported by Fair Trade help sustain biodiversity and environmentally-conscious farming practices

How do I know if a product is Fair Trade?

Look for the Fair Trade Certified™ label on products to which are produced by Fair Trade practices. This label means that TransFair USA, a non-profit organization that acts as a third party certifier, has verified that strict Fair Trade guidelines have been met. These guidelines are set by Fairtrade Labeling Organizations International (FLO).

In other countries, the FAIRTRADE™ label ensures that the product you are buying has been produced according to FLO’s standards, but certified by a group called National Initiatives (NIs).

A product with the Fair Trade Federation (FTF) label does not mean that the product has been certified Fair Trade, but does indicate that the product is being sold by a company which is a member of FTF. Members must demonstrate that their products are produced by artisans and producers who have been paid a fair wage.

Which products are Fair Trade Certified™?

In addition to craft items, many products from around the world and domestically are available through Fair trade: