Why Fair Trade?

Fair trade is a movement aimed at helping people help themselves. It not only pays fair wages to producers, but also supports them by supplying financial and technical assistance, respecting cultural identity and the individual, developing long term relationships with artists and artist groups, protecting the environment, and educating consumers about the effects of how they spend their dollars. Fair Trade is a system designed to help people while creating sustainable development for families and their communities.

As a fair trade business, we truly believe that ethical commerce can help people and the planet. By caring about the people who make our food and decorate our home, we can build connections around the world and make it a better place. Shifting our consumer spending to support those things we value will make a difference to producers all over the globe and influence legislature and the marketplace. Every business and government official is listening to what consumers say. And whether you know it or not, you are voting with your dollars.

As part of our dedication to helping people and the planet, we have launched fairtradehelps.org as an information resource that will help our stores, customers, and other consumers understand the significant connections between how fair trade helps people and fosters protection of the environment. From deforestation to over hunting, a great many of the ecological troubles that affect Latin America and other parts of the world can be linked directly to poverty.

Why Fair Trade:

• If you care about people, it makes sense!
• Fair Trade organizations work with artists and producers to determine a fair price for their craft or commodity that will allow them to exceed their cost of production and be able to improve their lives through more nutritious food, better education, and access to healthcare.
• In return for strong relationships between fair trade stores, wholesalers and producers, you the consumer will often find some of the highest quality and unique goods on the market. Despite this, fairly traded products typically remain quite affordable since fair trade organizations and companies often don’t incur middleman or high marketing costs. They keep costs reasonable while giving a greater portion of the good’s price to the artist.
• Fair trade benefits workers and communities by spreading profits more equitably and stimulating the local economy. Profits are often re-invested into community projects, such as health clinics, childcare, and education.
• Many FT members work directly with producers to develop products based on a sustainable use of their natural resources. This gives the communities a reason to preserve and maintain their environment.
• Many FT organizations provide financial assistance to producers through loans or by supplying prepayments so producers can cover the costs of raw materials. Production and development of products based on cultural traditions is encouraged.
• Fair Trade Member’s finances, policies, and business practices are open to the public. In fact, fair trade tours allow consumers and store buyers to visit many of the cooperatives and family workshops in person.
• Fair trade is a global effort; it’s working in Peru, Asia, and even the United States.
• Fair trade is a commitment to various producer groups. This means that a fair trade company strives to continually provide work and help for specific groups and communities. It’s not just a spurt of cash and then back to poverty (or near it) – it’s more than a one time deal.