Fair Trade

Fair trade is a market-based movement to eliminate social injustice. Fair trade ensures that farmers and artisans receive a fair price or fair wage for their labor. Fair trade farmers and artisans use environmentally sustainable methods to grow their crops or create their handicrafts. Farmers and artisans typically form themselves into democratically governed cooperatives. The fair trade cooperatives undertake community development initiatives that are appropriate for their own communities. Cooperatives may, for example, open a health care center, a school or day care center, or may build out water and electricity services in their area.

The consumer of a fair trade product can be assured that the item was made with no sweat shop labor or forced child labor. Direct market access ensures that there are no middlemen holding wages down in order to increase their margin. The consumer also brings international flair into her home with an item that reflects the community of orgin of the product.

More and different fair trade products are coming to market all the time. Currently, fair trade products include home decor items, such as bedding and furniture, musical instruments, toys, clothing for men, women and children, and a growing list of food and beverage items, including coffee, tea, cocoa, chocolate, olive oil, wine, rice, sugar and lots of other delicious items.

Fair trade items are delicious, well made, unique and affordable. Support fair trade. Change the world.