What Is Fair Trade?

what is fair trade?

So, what is fair trade? Find out more:
Benefits of Fair Trade - How To Support Fair Trade Organizations

Fair Trade: More than a Business Transaction

The Fair Trade movement is more than a business transaction. Fair Trade is an alternative system of importing products from around the world while ensuring that the producers are fairly and adequately compensated. In other words, consumers may purchase products that are certified as fair trade knowing that they have made a difference in the lives of the people producing the product.

The fair trade movement began in 1946 when Edna Ruth Byler, a missionary, brought products back from Puerto Rico to sell in the United States. Her model of purchasing products directly from the producer, cutting out potentially exploitative middlemen, endured and grew.

Look for our
Fair Trade Symbol

While all of our products are handmade, not all are certified Fair Trade items. You will see our Fair Trade Symbol next to those items that are.

In 2007, fair trade product sales worldwide increased 47% over 2006, a staggering amount of growth. The impact of fair trade transactions can be seen in every community producing. From its humble beginnings to today, fair trade as a business model has grown to include 300 organizations in 60 countries that facilitate transactions, help producers and spread the word about fair trade products.

Fair Trade Beginnings

Edna Ruth Byler, a Mennonite missionary traveled around the world to aid in disaster recovery efforts. While in Puerto Rico in 1946, she purchased needlework crafts from local ladies and brought the crafts back to the United States, selling them from her car. In 1958, she formalized her enterprise into the business Ten Thousand Villages, which remains one of the top producing, largest fair trade stores in the world, with hundreds of outposts. Since the opening of Ten Thousand Villages, several other large-scale fair trade stores have opened within the United States and around the world. Additionally, organizations to certify fair trade status, assist producers, facilitate marketing and conduct research have formed.

Fair Trade Today

Today, the fair trade industry is more robust than ever. Organizations such as the Crafts Centers International conduct research and support producers, helping them create products that will sell well and are current to popular styles, colors and trends. Their annual Trend Report covers areas such as color trends, home accent trends, and overall market trends. When thinking about fair trade items, consumers no longer need to think “just coffee” or strange, exotic goods. Beautiful jewelry, rugs, baskets, home accents, flatware, and food products like chocolate are all available as certified fair trade products.

Fair trade products are now available in mainstream storefront retailers and online retailers. You might just be surprised! Starbucks coffee offers fair trade blends. Ben & Jerry’s sells ice cream made with fair trade ingredients. Even “big box” stores like Sam’s Club and Wal-Mart carry fair trade items. Establishments like Trader Joe’s and local Co-ops will have the highest concentration of Fair Trade items.

Fair Trade: Impact on Communities

A popular myth about fair trade is that fair trade means paying American wages to overseas producers. That is not the case. Fair trade products are purchased from producers at rates that provide a living wage in the country of production. More is involved with fair trade than just price. Fair trade as a social movement seeks to follow the following guidelines:

Fair wages for the country of origin

Environmental sustainability

Respect for cultural identity

Gender equality

Safe working conditions

Transparency in production and commerce

Many fair trade products, especially intricate crafts and art, are produced by women who would not otherwise have a way to support their families. Money generated from sale of fair trade items helps build schools, feed and clothe children, and purchase vital supplies. Fair trade products made by women help elevate their status in their communities, ensuring better health and safety for the women and their children.

Supporting Fair Trade: Getting Started

The easiest way to support fair trade is to shop! Locate local and online retailers that carry fair trade certified versions of the products you wish to purchase. Fair trade certified flowers, coffee, chocolate, jewelry, glassware and more are available for purchase. The more you buy, and the more diverse items you buy, the greater the choices will be in the future.

Fair trade support organizations also need volunteers and donations. If you really do not need any products, but like the idea of helping further the cause of socially responsible free trade, consider making a donation to one of the reputable fair trade producer support organizations.

You CAN Make a Difference

When deciding what and how to make purchases, it can be mind-boggling to keep up with criteria for “social consuming.” Fair trade certified products remove the guesswork. When you purchase fair trade items, you can be confident that you are helping individuals and their communities. You can rest assured that the product is produced in an environmentally sustainable way. You will be able to feel good that you are helping sustain cultural and crafts traditions that might otherwise be lost. When you buy fair trade, you are ensuring a healthier, more economically stable, and environmentally healthy world.

Find out more:
Benefits of Fair Trade - How To Support Fair Trade Organizations