What Does Fair Trade Really Mean to Consumers?

You have  heard the term before, but what does Fair Trade really mean?  According the Fair Trade Federation ,

• Fair Trade is a method of conducting international business with the pledge to follow high ethical standards  – i.e. a fair wage for a quality product.

Our customers know that we encourage individuals to use their purchasing power as a vote for social and environmental change. No matter where you shop or what you are purchasing; whether it is a trendy beaded necklace, a new blouse, home décor, or coffee- it important to know where that product came from and who you are supporting when you make your purchase.

Quite often, products that are offered to consumers at unbelievable low prices come at an extraordinarily high human cost by foreign workers.  These workers are usually desperate for income and are subject to terrible compensation and inhumane working conditions- thus continuing the cycle of poverty in their community.

Here are some key principles of Fair Trade Organizations:

• Producer partners agree to provide workers fair wages, maintain safe and healthy working environments while offering transparency and public accountability.
• They work to raise global awareness through consumer education and campaigning for change.
• Committed to respecting the cultural identity of their producers.
• A commitment to putting the money back to the community the product came from.  Many businesses donate a portion of the proceeds to build better schools, homes, and other crucial infrastructure projects depending on the needs of the community.
• The opportunity for producers in developing and developed countries opportunities to build long term relationships.

I hope to open a discussion and hear from you!   What does Fair Trade mean to you as a consumer?  What are the most important factors to you when making a purchasing choice?  Are there Fair Trade products that have a special meaning to you?

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Things do not change; we change- Henry David Thoreau