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n America, when we want a cup of coffee, the process is easy. We hop in our cars and drive to the nearest Starbucks or Dunkin’ Donuts. We are greeted with a smile as we order a tall vanilla cappuccino, and then go about our day. We don’t often think about where the coffee used to make our beverage came from. While we have promoted the use of eco-friendly products and exemplary service, we haven’t always done much to help those on the other end: the producers. This is where fair trade has stepped in.
According to the World Fair Trade Organization, there are 10 principles to fair trade. Some of them include creating opportunities for economically disadvantaged producers, transparency and accountability and payment at a fair price. Not only does fair trade seek to provide workers with proper wages, but it seeks to prevent child labor and enforce proper working conditions.
The most widely recognized definition of fair trade is “a trading partnership, based on dialogue, transparency, and respect, that seeks greater equity in international trade.” according to the Fairtrade Labelling Organizations International. Through the help of various fair trade organizations, people around the world have been able to receive liveable wages for what they produce. Fair Trade initiatives focus on a variety of everyday products; however coffee provides an obvious example due to the mass demand by American consumers.
As a major export of many countries, coffee has been in high demand. I recently traveled to Nicaragua and learned how coffee is produced. I visited a village that has based much of its economy off of the business, and it is laborious. Coffee beans must be picked, shelled, dried, ground and sold and much of which is done by hand. In many places, this job pays very little and not nearly enough to earn a living. Luckily, the village of Al Roblar, where I visited, was aided by fair trade, which allowed them to earn sustainable wages.
The fair trade initiative has grown, and many imported goods have been brought through the fair trade system. This awareness has been spread by organizations like the World Fair Trade Organization, the Network of European Worldshops and European Fair Trade Association. In addition, a labeling initiative began in 1988 which helped consumers identify fair trade products. Now, most products that utilize Fair Trade are denoted by a label on the packaging.
An example of fair trade exists right around the corner. Folklore Coffee, located on Market Street in Elizabethtown makes use of the fair trade system as a majority of the coffee used is bought through fair trade. By purchasing coffee from Folklore and other companies that use Fair Trade, you are ensuring that the people on the other end are properly compensated.
If you want to help the fair trade initiative, pay more attention when you shop. Many grocery stores and coffee companies (including Starbucks and Dunkin’ Donuts) now offer fair trade goods. You can also consider purchasing things online from websites such as Equal Exchange and World of Good. When you shop, pay particular attention to tea, sugar, chocolate, rice, bananas and flowers as these are major fair trade products. By putting more focus on what you buy, you could be helping to support more families in need.
If you want to learn more about fair trade visit their website www.WFTO.com.