WHAT IS FAIR TRADE?

Fair Trade is an alternative system of international trade that is based on principles of economic justice and environmental sustainability. Fair Trade is about giving farmers market access and a chance to benefit from globalization and giving consumers a chance to use their purchasing power to advocate for social and economic transformation.

According to the International Fair Trade Association (IFAT), "Fair Trade is a trading partnership, based on dialogue, transparency and respect that seeks greater equity in international trade. It contributes to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions to and securing the rights of, marginalized workers and producers especially in the [Global] South. Fair Trade organizations, (backed by consumers) are engaged actively in supporting producers, awareness raising and in campaigning for changes in the rules and practice of conventional international trade."


How Fair Trade Works
Fair Trade means that farmers and workers:
• have long term relationships that guarantee a decent price for their harvest;
• are organized into democratic cooperatives (coffee, some tea, cocoa, some fruit) or workers on larger farms who receive better wages and can bargain collectively (some tea, some fruit);
• do not use abusive child labor;
• incorporate environmentally sustainable farming methods;
• coop members have access to affordable credit.

Companies are allowed to use the Fair Trade Certified label on coffee, chocolate, tea, and fruit if they agree to be audited by TransFair USA (the only Fair Trade Certification organization in the United States) for compliance with international Fair Trade standards. TransFair USA tracks the products through the supply chain to ensure the farmer got a fair price and the plantation worker got a higher wage.

To learn more about Transfair certification and the criteria for specific products, see
http://transfairusa.org/content/certification/overview.php


FAQs
Impact and Significance
Links to Helpful Resources