An Overview of Fair Trade in North America

An Overview of Fair Trade in North America

Dear Friend,

We hope this booklet provides you with a further introduction to the people, products and social justice impact of Fair Trade. As this commerce system and movement continues to grow and become more complex , individuals need accessible resources that summarize the opportunities, challenges and variety within the Fair Trade system. We hope this booklet serves as a primer from which you can go to books, websites, films and meetings to learn more about Fair Trade. As a more educated citizen, you will be a more conscious consumer, thereby improving life for yourself and vulnerable people around the world.

Millions of farmers and artisans, and their families and neighbors, already gain increased opportunities through Fair Trade. As consumer interest in Fair Trade grows, even more producers will access education; obtain food, housing and medical care; build capacity in business and organizational development; and earn respect and dignity.

With those goals at heart, this publication will help you...

...understand how Fair Trade relationships in over 70 less industrialized countries enhance the quality of life for vulnerable producers.

…interact with a global community taking action to ease inequities wrought by traditional trade structures.

...navigate the complicated world of organizations, labels and definitions of Fair Trade.

We hope you’ll continue supporting our educational efforts by participating in FTRN programs, making a tax -deduct ib le contribution, or sharing this booklet with friends, colleagues, and members of your faith community. Together we can

improve more lives through Fair Trade! Jeff Goldman

All Rights Reserved: Copyright 2011

FTRN gathers, develops, and disseminates educational resources to people and organizations interested in the movement to build a more just and sustainable world through Fair Trade.

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FTRN Thanks Booklet Sponsors: Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps

Once Again Nut Butter Fair for Life, Fair World Project,

Ganesh Himal Trading, HandCrafting Justice, Ten Thousand Villages USA,

Theo Chocolate

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Women Artisans, Rwanda

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Cover photo of World Fair Trade Day table courtesy of Fair Trade Milwaukee.

Table of Contents

Why Change Traditional Trade? ..................................................... 2-4 What is the Goal of Fair Trade? .................................................... 4

What is Fair Trade? ......................................................................... 5-9 A Useful Definition of Fair Trade .................................................. 5 Identifying Fair Trade .................................................................... 5-9 How does Fair Trade Differ from Free Trade? ............................. 6

Fair Trade in Action ......................................................................... 10-18 Producer Stories............................................................................ 10-15 Fair Trade by Some Numbers ....................................................... 15-18

Fair Trade—History .......................................................................... 19-25 Fair Trade Timeline ....................................................................... 20 Major Names in Fair Trade ........................................................... 21-25

Challenges Facing Fair Trade ........................................................ 26-29

How to Get More Involved in Fair Trade ......................................... 30-32 Shop Fair Trade ............................................................................. 30 Learn More .................................................................................... 30-31 Spread the Word ........................................................................... 31 Work or Volunteer ......................................................................... 32 Join an Action Campaign .............................................................. 32

Cover photo of Bolivian quinoa producers courtesy of Éric St-Pierre

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FTOs Fair Trade Organizations FTF Fair Trade Federation FI Fairtrade International FTRN Fair Trade Resource Network WFTO World Fair Trade Organization FTUSA Fair Trade USA WFTD World Fair Trade Day

Farmer and consumer pick coffee, Nicaragua

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We can do much better to improve the quality of life, and justice, open to huge numbers of people around the world. Today, more than 1 billion people live below the international pov-erty line and lack access to clean water, health care, education and other basic social services (U.N. Development Group Program2008). The gap between the rich and the poor is widening, with the world’s richest 20% consuming over 75% of the world’s resources while the world’s poorest 20% consume only 1.5% (World Bank-Resources Institute 2008). Historically, socie-ties that have thrived from commerce have exploited vulnerable people.

While some developing regions, particularly in Asia, have experienced robust economic growth, widespread poverty has languished in much of Asia, Latin America and sub-Saharan Af r ica , w h e r e A I D S , v i o l e n c e , c o r r u p t governments and lack of infrastructure exacerbate the misery. In Latin America one-th i rd of the popula t ion l i ves be low a subsistence level.

While global trade has improved the conditions for some marginalized people, many critics suggest conventional commerce gives too much power to multinational corporations and rich countries, and too little power to less industrialized countries and producers working there. Conventional trade often minimizes opportunities for vulnerable producers and sometimes degrades the environment.

Why Change

―Trade can be an engine for poverty reduction, but only if the rules work to

benefit poor people and developing countries.‖ – Oxfam USA

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Powerful governments frequently employ subsidies, tariffs, other trade tools, as well as lax labor and environmental standards to enable politically influential groups to focus on short-term profits, evade the full costs of commerce, and separate themselves from the plight of marginalized people. After recent decades of conventional trade, farm incomes worldwide have declined dramatically while consumer prices have risen and agribusinesses worldwide have seen record profits (Public Citizen). Conventional trade often lowers labor & environmental standards below a subsistence and sustainable level. With the proliferation of inexpensive products around the globe, conscious consumers have called into question the costs of their over-consumptive lifestyles. People are increasing their awareness of business practices, labor conditions, environmental issues, and cultural changes that increase the vulnerability of low-income people. Increasingly, consumers in developed nations are applying their buying power to challenge the current system and demand supply-chain accountability. Consumers are seeking alternatives that offer secure and rewarding lives for less fortunate people.

―A wage of $1 [per day], common in factories producing for U.S.

corporations, provides less than 25% of the minimum needs of a family of five.‖

-National Labor Committee

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Kids use water pump provided by Fair Trade, Ghana

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Fair Trade profits for better education, nutritional programming, increased health services, improved roads and wells, and more. Trade may be the

most powerful, sustainable tool for boosting standards of living in the de-veloping world. But for trade to lift up the world’s poorest, it must be de-signed to include those people traditionally by-passed by the benefits of commerce. Fair Traders work with disadvan-taged artisans and farm-ers to build their busi-nesses and market their wares to consumers. Whereas conventional trade often perpetuates pover ty , Fa i r T rade strives to more quickly uplift people from poverty.

―(Fair Trade) means that Haitians and others around the world can have a better life, have a better vision of

themselves, can stand on their own two feet.‖ Gisele Fleurant, director,

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What is the goal of Fair Trade? While trade policy reform is critical, Fair Trade offers a business model that

encourages change in global commerce and empowers pro-ducers. The system seeks to give marginalized people ac-cess to the market and increased independence. Based on principles of economic and social justice, Fair Trade shifts more power into the hands of the producers in the develop-ing world and conscious con-sumers. Fair Trade also empowers communities and allows them opportunities to reinvest their

Weavers gain healthy and safe workshop conditions through Fair Trade in Cambodia

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What is Fair Trade? Fair Trade is a lot of things: a social justice movement, an alternative business model, a system of global commerce, a tool for international development, a faith -based activity. It means different things to different people. There is no single, regulatory, authoritative body. So, individuals need to explore various models and concepts. Fair Trade’s many definitions do always center around the exchange of goods based on principles of economic and social justice.

―Every business transaction is a challenge to see that

both parties come out fairly.‖ – Adam Smith, 1759

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Swaziland artisan at work on the loom

A Useful Definition of Fair Trade In 1998, four European organizations created a widely accepted definition of Fair Trade. Fairtrade Labeling Organizations (now Fairtrade Interna-tional, FI), International Fair Trade Association (now World Fair Trade Organization, WFTO), the Network of European Worldshops (NEWS!) and the European Fair Trade Association (EFTA) created a workgroup known as FINE, an acronym of their names, and defined Fair Trade as:

―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, disadvantaged

producers and workers—especially in the South.‖ (FINE, 1998)

Identifying Fair Trade With many different definitions, and no single, authoritative body, Fair Trade takes many forms in the U.S. and around the world. Different organizations and individuals use different criteria for determining what is, and isn’t, Fair Trade.

The two most widely recognized ways of identifying Fair Trade are organizational recognition and product certification. With organizational recognition, a trading organization is approved as Fair Trade. For these

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6 traders, almost every item they sell is a Fair Trade product. Not only are producers treated fairly through fair prices and social premiums, but other practices of the trading relationship are conducted in concert with Fair Trade values and goals. For example, SERRV builds the capacity of producers to respond to market trends, to learn best practices, and awards grants to buy tools and equipment.

Credit: Photo thanks to www.charlessteinbergphotography.com

Beads to Bricks at BeadforLife

Many people are familiar with the term ―free trade,‖ which has played a major role in countries’ trade policies in the past few decades. While free trade policies need reform, Fair Trade adds a complementary business model to such reform. The table below summarizes key differences:

Free Trade is NOT Fair Trade

How does Fair Trade Differ from Free Trade?

Free Trade Fair Trade

Main goal: To increase nations’ economic growth

To empower marginalized peo-ple and improve the quality of their lives

Focuses on: Trade policies between countries

Commerce among individuals and businesses

Primarily benefits:

Multinational corpora-tions, powerful business interests

Vulnerable farmers, artisans and workers in less industrialized countries

Critics say: Punishing to marginalized people & the environ-ment, sacrifices long-term

Interferes with free market, inef-ficient, too small scale for im-pact

Major actions:

Countries lower tariffs, quotas, labor and environmental standards

Businesses offer producers fa-vorable financing, long-term rela-tionships, fair prices and higher labor and environmental stan-dards

Producer compensation determined by:

Market and government policies

Living wage and community im-provement costs

Supply chain: Includes many parties between producer and consumer

Includes fewer parties, more direct trade

Key advocate organizations:

World Trade Organization, World Bank, International Monetary Fund

Fairtrade International, World Fair Trade Organization

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7 With product certification, an item is Fair Trade no matter who trades it. Certification centers around a fair price which is paid to the producer for the item, safe working conditions, and a social premium which is paid to the producing community or organization for development. The wider prac-tices of others in the supply chain are not considered under the dominant certifications, but are considered under other certifications. For example, Wal-Mart may sell a little ―Fair Trade Certified‖ coffee, along with a lot of conventional coffee and thousands of other conventional goods. Under organizational recognition, vendors must show evidence to consum-ers and traders that they are approved as fully committed Fair Trade or-ganizations by a third-party approval body. Individual products sold by Fair Trade organizations may, or may not, have a Fair Trade mark or label. Many Fair Trade advocates call these organizations fully com-mitted, mission-driven, or 100% Fair Trade.

There are predominantly two third -party asso-ciations that recognize Fair Trade organizations in North America: the Fair Trade Federation (FTF) in North America and the international World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO). They have similar criteria, stated by FTF as these 9 principles:

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Create Opportunities for Economically & Socially Marginalized Producers: Fair Trade is a strategy for poverty alleviation & sustainable development.

Develop Transparent & Accountable Relationships: Fair Trade involves relationships that are open, fair, consistent & respectful.

Build Capacity: Fair Trade is a means to develop producers' independence. Promote Fair Trade: Fair Trade encourages an understanding by all participants of their role in world trade.

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Pay Promptly & Fairly: Fair Trade empowers producers to set prices within the framework of the true costs of labor time, materials, sustainable growth & related factors.

Support Safe & Empowering Working Conditions: Fair Trade means a safe & healthy working environment free of forced labor.

Ensure the Rights of Children: Fair Trade means that all children have the right to security, education & play.

Cultivate Environmental Stewardship: Fair Trade seeks to offer current generations the ability to meet their needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Respect Cultural Identity: Fair Trade celebrates the cultural diversity of communities, while seeking to create positive & equitable change.

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8 Under product certification, every individ-ual Fair Trade product must be labeled with a Fair Trade mark. At present there are 3 widely recognized marks, and a few minor marks, in the U.S. and Canada. ―Fair Trade Certified‖ mark, created in 1998, is now used on products representing about 90% of product certified Fair Trade retail sales in N. Amer-ica. In 2011, the administrator of ―Fair Trade Certi-fied‖ left the ―Fairtrade‖ system, so the ―Fairtrade‖ mark may appear more in the US market. The ―Fairtrade‖ mark already is widely used in Canada. Also, in 2012, the new ―Fair Trade Certified‖ mark (far right) is replacing the old mark (at left of new mark). ―Fair for Life Social & Fairtrade Certi-fied‖ mark, created in 2006, is used on about 5-10%. Organizations selling certified goods vary greatly in their involvement in Fair Trade, and may have, for example, less than 1%, 5%, 20%, 50% or 90% of their annual purchases be Fair Trade products. Many Fair Trade advocates call such organizations partially committed. Criteria for certification sometimes significantly vary by product type or by certifier. Standards for fairly traded bananas are different than those for rice, in part because bananas are grown on plantations in trees while rice is cultivated in smallholder paddy fields. Olive oil, jewelry, cotton and apparel also are produced under widely different circumstances, and re-sult in significantly different criteria for Fair Trade. Moreover, there are emerging differences between certifications of coffee, for example, as ―Fair Trade Certified‖ began allowing hired labor and plantations to have their coffee certified in 2011, whereas ―Fairtrade‖ only allows smallholder farmers organized into cooperatives to have their coffee certified. The ―Fair Trade Certified‖ system is administered by Fairtrade International (FI), based in Germany. FI authorizes a labeling initiative in consumer countries, currently numbering 22, to administer the label. FI’s labeling

initiative in the U.S. was Fair Trade USA (renamed from TransFair USA in 2010) until 2011. In Canada, it’s Fairtrade Canada (renamed from TransFair Canada in 2010). Most cer-tified products are agricultural prod-ucts, such as coffee, tea, cocoa & chocolate, sugar, rice, and more. Pilot certifications in apparel and gold were launched in recent years. Cr

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Three women pick Fair Trade tea leaves

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All product certifications include these principles: Fair prices: Farmers, hired workers, artisans and other producers re-ceive a fair price or wage for their time and materials. Producer organi-zations often receive pre-harvest or pre-production credit on favorable terms. Fair & safe labor conditions: Workers on farms, in factories and on plantations enjoy freedom of association, safe working conditions, and humane treatment. Forced child labor is strictly prohibited. Direct trade: Importers purchase from Fair Trade producer groups as directly as possible, eliminating unnecessary middlemen and empow-ering producers to develop the business capacity necessary to com-pete in the global marketplace. Democratic and transparent organizations: Producers decide democ-ratically how to invest Fair Trade premiums for community develop-ment and capacity building of producer organizations. Community development: Producers invest premiums in social and business development projects like youth scholarship programs, health care, clean water access, quality improvement trainings, and organic certification. Environmental sustainability: Harmful agrochemicals and Genetically Modified Organisms are strictly prohibited in favor of environmentally sustainable methods that protect producers' health and preserve eco-systems.

There are also some minor certifications in the N. American market repre-senting less than 1% of certified Fair Trade products. One such label is Ecocert ESR, another IBD EcoSocial, and a new one is the Small Producer Symbol, administered by the Latin American and Caribbean Network of Small Fair Trade Producers. Fair Trade criteria for these and other minor certifications may differ from the dominant ones. Anyone interested is en-couraged to do further research.

The ―Fair for Life‖ system is administered by Institute for Marketecology (IMO), based in Switzerland. Its generic standards can be applied to any type of product, even manufactured goods or hand-crafts, but are mostly found at present on food and body care products.

Farmer carries bag of mint, Sri Lanka

Courtesy of Dr Bronner’s Magic Soaps

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Cocoa Cooperative with 9000 Members in the Dominican Republic Builds Capacity for Sustainable Business


Many of the Dominican Republic’s small farmers still struggle to survive. Founded in 1988 and a participant in the Fair Trade system since 1995, the Conacado cooperative aims to generate work and income for disadvantaged groups. Conacado has about 9,000 members that receive a majority of their income from cacao. Fair Trade provides added support for farming methods that are safe for the environment and public health.

Fair Trade also ensures a higher minimum price, long-term contracts and access to credit. Most farmers do not have savings and face extreme difficulty securing loans, while the government has very l imited means for aiding these farmers.

With the higher price from Fair Trade, sales have provided the cooperative with enough income to meet basic expenses and invest in the future. In the wake of the massive destruction of Hurricane George in 1998, the importance of Fair Trade revenues was clear, as the communities were able to rebuild.

Fair Trade has helped the cooperative to organize workshops to teach farmers how to improve fermentation techniques, expand sustainable growing methods, increase productivity, and participate more actively in the cooperative.

The complex world of Fair Trade can be clarified further with some illustrative producer stories and business numbers.

Fair Trade in Action

Producer Stories

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Cacao farmer, Cacaonica, Nicaragua

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Market Access Brings Livelihood for Artisans in India Credit: Fair Trade Federation

Ramlal Khatri was a very talented artisan from India, who followed environmentally friendly processes and only used natural dyes. But like many artisans, his lack of knowledge and access to a market made earning an income a struggle. Meanwhile, Manish Gupta lived a very successful life in Austin, Texas, but felt unfulfilled. Following a trip to his homeland to see how he could help artisans, Manish decided to start a Fair Trade organization now known as Handmade Expressions.

Manish partnered with several NGOs and artisan cooperatives to help them create high quality, hand-crafted goods. For Ramlal and his community, Handmade Expressions adapted their age-old techniques to develop modern, functional products. The company researched information on what products were selling in international markets, relayed this information back to the artisans, and designed a re-usable shopping bag and a laptop bag.

Today, due to Fair Trade and the success of these artisans, the whole community now has sustainable income and a fair portion of the proceeds goes back to the artisan’s communities to develop the education and health systems, among other social projects.

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Fair Trade Certified Tea in India Shows

Substantial Benefits Over 15 Years Credit: Fair Trade USAUSA

The Chamraj tea estate in Tamil Nadu, south India, had some of its tea certified in 1994 as some of the first Fair Trade Certified tea in the world. In 2009, the business produced 40,000 kg of green leaf and 10,000 kg of black leaf each day, nearly 8% of which were Fair Trade. Over 15 years the Fair Trade premium has bought a new school

block with computers and laboratories, several school buses and a doubling of children in schools. Workers on tea estates are automatically housed, but when they retire they often become homeless. The premium has paid for an enhanced pension that enables former workers to build a new home. It has also paid for a doctor at the local hospital and for modern medical equipment, which is used by people from miles around. The conventional tea growers in the surrounding area are reported to be much worse off.

Woman picking Fair Trade tea leaves

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Marginalized Workers Gain Dignity at Winery in South Africa

Credit: Fair Trade USA

Marie is the woman in charge at Stellar Winery, but life hasn’t always been so sweet for her. Growing up in apartheid South Africa, Marie had to drop out of high school to help her family make ends meet. When her mother passed away unexpect-edly, she was forced to take care of her younger siblings as well as four other orphans she raised as her own. To support these children she took a job as a domestic servant and eventually made her way over to the grape growing industry.

In the legacy of apartheid, many vineyard workers were paid less than $2 a day, a wage with which they could not afford to support themselves or their families. Some farms even paid their workers in wine, with disastrous effects on the livelihoods and health of the community.

At Stellar Organics, north of Cape Town, people like Marie are demonstrating a new way to do business. Marie is the Farm Manager at an award-winning, organic vineyard that produces Fair Trade wine. Like the other workers here, she has a stable income, electricity and sanitary systems. Not only does Stellar comply with Fair Trade standards for workers wages and rights, but the organization also follows spe-cial programs put in place to combat post-apartheid inequality in South Africa. These programs mandate that workers own shares in the company, providing land and business ownership opportunities to disadvantaged farm workers.

Marie now owns a part of the successful company that she manages. Stellar has invested a portion of their proceeds into a worker-owned grape farm that supports a local elementary school and computer center for workers and their children. By investing in her community, Marie can help the outcome of children like these in ways she didn’t have growing up.

Marie was even named the Sanlam National Farm Worker of the Year. The Sanlam National Farm Worker Award is very prestigious and seeks to recognize farm workers for their specialized knowledge and excellent work.

―After Stellar Organics became a certi-fied Fair Trade farm, the possibilities

were there to improve our lifestyles and securities. The living conditions of every-body on the farm changed. Our houses now have electricity, and we have the

necessary sanitary systems. In the past, before linking with Fair Trade, all the money went to the owner of the farm, but now the workers also share in the

profit.‖ - Marie Malan, Stellar Organics, South Africa

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Producer Profile: Kuapa Kokoo Cocoa Farmers Union

Credit: Fair Trade Federation When internal marketing of cocoa was liberalized in Ghana in 1993, a group of farmers led by Nana Frimpong Abrebrese established Kuapa Kokoo as a farmer’s cooperative to work at improving the social, economic and political well-being of 50,000+ farmers and their families.

Cocoa is the mainstay of the Ghanaian economy. The market is highly regulated and there are around 25 licensed cocoa buying companies in the country, including Kuapa Kokoo. In the face of competition from mega-international corporations, the cooperative seeks to develop itself into a formidable farmer-based organization capable of mobilizing quality cocoa products, improving the livelihood of members, and satisfying customers.

They have invested in corn mills and palm oil extractors, training in soap making, batik and more to provide alternative means of livelihood for farmers during the off-season. Women are at the center of their program, since they believe that "an empowered woman means an empowered family."

Rwandan Cooperative Helps Business, Environment & Women’s Employment

Founded in 2000, The Dukunde Kawa Cooperative (Musasa) cultivates its high quality coffee near a mountain gorilla habitat in central Rwanda. The coop produces high-end coffee for the international market and employs a predominantly female workforce.

In 2003, the cooperative built a washing station with funds provided by the Rwandan Ministry of Defense. In exchange for this support, Dukunde Kawa now donates 10 percent of its net profits annually to fund the construction of other washing stations throughout Rwanda.

Fair Trade has enabled the Dukunde Kawa Cooperative to establish various social and productive programs including a tree rehabilitation initiative, long-term credit programs for coop members, new homes, and bicycles to ease the transportation of coffee cherries to the central station.

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Kuapa Kokoo uses part of the extra money they receive from Fair Trade to fund schools for girls, who don't have

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Fair Trade Helps Children Find Love Credit: MacroSun International

One particular artisan family in Nepal, Nanda and her husband Ganesh, have used Fair Trade to uplift themselves as well as many disadvantaged children. The couple makes traditional Nepali drums and other instruments that MacroSun International has sold both retail and wholesale for years. Nanda had herself come from an extraordinarily painful childhood, and had always had the vision to help children who faced challenges like she faced as a child - without parents or educational opportunity. She shared this vision with friends working with MacroSun in the U.S. This vision ultimately led to the creation of "Mitrata-Nepal" ("mitrata" means "friendship" in Nepali). Mitrata has, for nearly ten years, provided food, shelter, education, and perhaps most importantly, a loving home for nearly 100 children in and around the Kathmandu Valley. Fair Trade helped transform Nanda's vision into reality.

Women Improve Their Status by Acquiring Skills Credit: Handmade Expressions

Sharda creates cosmetic and sling bags with intricate bead work, key chains made of tiny beads, pot holders with tiny bead decorations, and other home decor items at a cooperative called Sahaj, in the Dahod district of Gujarat, India. This cooperative started some years ago by volunteers who first got to the area trying to look for a solution to water/irrigation problems. They realized they could do so much more for the people if they empowered them to make and sell crafts.

Sahaj 's mission is: "socio -economic empowerment of the woman through art and craft based activities to secure her position in society where she can think independently, become a role model for future generations, and above all not have to prove herself because of her gender." To achieve this goal, this organization trains and empowers tribal women groups with vocational education, helping them create functional products and make a living. The group has grown to include more than 2,700 tribal artisans from 52 different villages of the area.

Income for the women in this cooperative increased from an average of 500-1000 rupees per month to 3000-4000 rupees per month. Women have also gained social status within their family, community, and various government and banking institutions. Thanks to the success of the program, men started joining and now make up 10% of the group.

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Sharda Ben Kochra, Sahaj Women’s Cooperative, India

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Fair Trade by Some Numbers Today, more than 1.4 million people - farmers, artisans, and hired workers - across more than 70 producer countries participate in Fair Trade. Global retail sales of Fair Trade goods have surpassed $4.7 billion annually, includ-ing $1.1 billion in the U.S. In recent years, coffee has been king. In 2008, for example, coffee represented 80% of all Fair Trade Certified (FTC) retail sales in the U.S. Since 1998, sales of certified Fair Trade goods in just the U.S. have generated an estimated additional $220 million for farmers, farmworkers and their organizations. Most of this additional in-come comes from sales generated by partially committed businesses, even though only 1-40% of each business’ annual sales are Fair Trade products. About 95% of all annual sales of Fair Trade goods in the U.S. are made by these partially committed businesses. Fair Trade Organizations (FTOs), which essentially sell only Fair Trade goods, generate the other 5% of all retail sales of Fair Trade goods in the U.S. There are about 250 such FTOs in North America, that work primarily with artisans, rather than farmers, in developing countries. These organizations, members of FTF and WFTO, generate annual retail sales of ap-proximately $200 million, mostly from hand-crafts. Among the overseas producers trading with these FTOs, 76% of Fair Trade production is done by women and 69% of artisans and farmers involved in Fair Trade are ethnic mi-norities.

Visually Impaired Woman in India Finds Lifeline in Fair Trade Credit: Ten Thousand Villages

For artisans of Blue Mango, a Fair Trade workshop based in Chennai in south India, their work is often a lifeline. One artisan, Bothumani, has been visually impaired since birth. Suffering from poverty & hunger, she found an opportunity to empower herself at Blue Mango, which focuses on employment for marginalized women: widows, the abused, abandoned or physically or mentally disabled, and those affected by HIV/AIDS. Blue Mango facilitates training, employee ownership and empowerment, and produces silk and cotton bags, pillows, jewelry and ornaments. Bothumani found her niche, and became another example of a motivated woman lifting herself up through Fair Trade.

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FTC Coffee imported to the U.S. -from total of around 110 million lbs. in 2010

Another way to gauge the involvement of various countries is to examine where Fair Trade certified coffee, about 80% of all U.S. Fair Trade sales, is imported from:

Source: Fair Trade USA

The distribution of FI producer organizations by country can be sensed in the following data:

Number of FI Certified Producer Organizations by Country—2010

Source: Fair Trade USA

Fair Trade producers in over 70 developing countries supply the Fair Trade system. The producers have formed around 1000 Fair Trade producer organizations. The largest part of this system are the producer organizations supplying Fair Trade Certified products in FI’s global system.

Credit: Partners for Just Trade

Pierre Youpa with his papaya tree, Cameroon

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Retail sales of FTC products grew by around 15% globally in 2009, to $4.7 billion. FTC cof-fee sales grew 12% world-wide in 2009. FTC coffee repre-sents approxi-mately 4% of global coffee pro-duction.

Premiums to Producers from Fair Trade Certified Products in 2010 ($ millions)

Scores of Fair Trade products are now available in the U.S. The 15 products now available as Fair Trade Certified products are listed in the table at right with their pre-miums, an approximation of their relative importance. Scores more products are avail-able from FTOs, as shown on the next page.

Fair Trade Sales—2009 (in millions of dollars)

Source: FI

Fair Trade consumers in about 20 countries create demand for this supply. However, demand for Fair Trade products is growing in developing countries. The biggest consumer countries are:

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Coffee 10.9

Bananas 1.3

Sugar 0.64

Tea 0.63

Flowers 0.31

Cocoa 0.30

Vanilla / Spices

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Wine 0.07

Honey 0.06

Rice & Quinoa 0.05

Olives/ oil, brazil nuts, & shea butter

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The largest FTOs in N. America each generate annual sales around $10-40 million. In alphabetical order, they include:

Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps Equal Exchange

SERRV Ten Thousand Villages USA

Ten Thousand Villages Canada

Excellent sources for additional data on Fair Trade include Fairtrade Interna-tional (Annual Report), Fair Trade USA (Almanac), and Fair Trade Federation (Trends Report).

Some manufacturers purchase large amounts of Fair Trade products, even though these purchases may represent less than 1% to 30% of their total purchases. Notable manufactur-ers, in alphabetical order:

Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Nestle

Smuckers (Millstone) Sara Lee

Starbucks Wholesome Sweeteners

Major Outlets Selling Some Fair Trade Certified Products: Coffee: Dunkin' Donuts, Seattle's Best Coffee , Caribou Coffee, Peet's Coffee and Tea, Starbucks Coffee

Grocery Stores: Safeway, Sam's Club, Target, Trader Joe's , Wal-Mart, Whole Foods Market

Other Shops: Ben & Jerry's Scoop Shops, Bruegger's, Einstein Bagels

Fair Trade products have become widely available online, as well as through bricks and mortar retail outlets. Over 2700 retailers, wholesalers, and manufacturers worldwide are licensed to use certified Fair Trade label son their products. Around 800 of these organizations are in the U.S., with 500 selling coffee.

In 2010, Green Mountain Coffee passed Starbucks as the largest purchaser of any Fair Trade products in the world, buying $75 million. This represents around 10% of global FTC coffee purchases, & 24% of U.S. ones. Around 25-35% of Green Mountain’s coffee was bought as Fair Trade in 2010.

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Fair Trade products available through FTOs:

Body Care Cards / Stationary

Clothing Decorative Art

Handbags and Totes Home Textiles

Furniture Jewelry

Musical Instruments Religious Items

Sports Equipment Toys

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North America’s oldest Fair Trade Organizations (FTOs) began buying handcrafts from impoverished Puerto Ricans and Europeans after World War II and later shifted their focus to developing nations. Called Alternative Trade Organizations during their first decades, most of today’s FTOs began during the 20th century as missionary projects, humanitarian efforts or political/economic action statements. Non-governmental organizations also significantly advanced the Fair Trade movement, often leveraging the marketing expertise of FTOs to aid populations in developing regions. In North America, the church-related organizations are the oldest and among the largest fair traders.

Economic-development FTOs started in Europe in the 1960s, when the Dutch division of Oxfam opened its first shops selling goods produced by cooperatives in developing regions. By the mid-1980s, more than 1,000 Third World shops were operating in the United Kingdom and Switzerland. Around the same time, the Dutch organization Max Havelaar created the first Fair Trade product certification system (for coffee) and label.

In North America, the 1970s and 1980s saw a surge in the creation of economic/political FTOs such as Global Exchange and Pueblo to People, often in response to strife in developing nations and a growing awareness that the gap between rich and poor was widening. North American advocates, who lack the level of government support

that Europeans have enjoyed, found their most receptive customers in several populations – university students, co-op shoppers, faith-based organizations, organic and community-farm proponents, environmentalists, and organized labor.

Opposite this page is a timeline of key events in Fair Trade history, with further explanations of pioneering and other major nonprofit organizations afterwards.

―(Fair Trade is) a very attractive concept, across the political

spectrum. People like the idea of helping people, not with handouts

but with an opportunity to work hard and decently.‖

– Daniel Salcedo, Founder and CEO of www.PEOPLink.org & www.OpenEntry.com.

Fair Trade - History

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United Nations Conference on Aid and Development (UNCTAD) embraces ―Trade not Aid‖ concept, bringing Fair Trade into development policy

1968

Oxfam and other European humanitarian organizations open the first World Shop, in the Netherlands, to sell crafts, build awareness, and cam-paign for trade reform.

1969

Edna Ruth Byler imports needlecrafts from low-income women in Puerto Rico, and from those displaced in Europe, laying the groundwork for Ten Thousand Villages, N. America’s first Fair Trade organization

1946

Ten Thousand Villages opens store, the first Fair Trade retail outlet in N. America

1972

Church of the Brethren establish SERRV, N. America’s second Fair Trade organization, to import wooden clocks from German refugees of WWII

1949

Farmers and activists launch the first Fair Trade certification system, Max Havelaar, in the Netherlands, to offer third-party recognition and a label of Fair Trade products

1988

International Fair Trade Association (IFAT), (now WFTO), established by Fair Trade pioneers as first global

Fair Trade network

1989

Fairtrade Labeling Organizations formed, which led to a third-party

label in the U.S. in 1998 managed by Fair Trade USA

1997

Fair Trade Federation formed, as first network of FTOs in N. America

1994

Fair Trade retail sales in U.S. top $1 billion, worldwide tops $2.5

billion

2007

A second Fair Trade certification & label gains wide acceptance in the

N. American market, IMO’s ―Fair for Life‖.

2010

750 people participate in Fair Trade Futures, the largest Fair

Trade conference in N. America

Equal Exchange established as 1st Fair Trade cooperative in N. America, importing coffee from Nicaragua as a way to make a political statement with a high quality, household item

1986

Fair Trade Timeline

Producers form national and regional Fair Trade associations across Asia, Latin America and

Africa. COFTA, for example, was established by African producers

to be the continental voice in lobbying for greater market access and Fair Trade advocacy. COFTA is

currently composed of over 70 member organizations from 20

African countries.

2004

2005

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2011 Small producers in Latin America,

under CLAC, launch their own cer-tification & label. FTUSA leaves the

FI system.

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Major Names in Fair Trade Since thousands of for-profit businesses are involved in importing, wholesaling and retailing Fair Trade products, we mention only some pioneers, identified in the timeline above. Some major nonprofit players in the Fair Trade movement are de-scribed below. Major retailers and manufacturers are listed at the end of the "Fair Trade by Some Numbers‖ section. Listing in alphabetical order:

Catholic Relief Services

Catholic Relief Services (CRS), located in Baltimore, Maryland, is the official international humanitarian agency of

the U.S. Catholic community. The CRS Fair Trade Program creates opportunities for people to bring the values of their

faith to bear in the marketplace, and to make consumer choices that help lift brothers and sisters around the world

out of poverty. In 1995, CRS began partnering with SERRV to launch the Work of Human Hands parish sales program. CRS’

Fair Trade program builds awareness of Fair Trade, and particularly promotes sales of coffee, chocolate and

handcrafts. CRS also makes grants to support the activities of artisans and farmers overseas and Fair Trade allies in the

U.S. www.crsfairtrade.org

Cooperative Coffees

Organized in 1998, Cooperative Coffees (CC) is a green coffee importing cooperative, comprised of 24 community-

based coffee roasters in the USA and Canada, who are committed to building and supporting fair and sustainable

trade relationships for the benefit of farmers and their exporting cooperatives, families, and communities. CC works

in partnership with farmer cooperatives in Latin America, Asia and Africa — local organizations founded and democratically governed by the farmers themselves, to import coffee, offer

producer tours, and advocate for Fair Trade. www.coopcoffees.com

Dr.Bronner’s Magic Soaps

Founded in 1948, Dr. Bronner’s is now one of the 4 large, fully committed Fair Trade organizations in N. America. Re-

cently the company has been very active in promoting or-ganic integrity in personal care, recommercializing industrial

hemp in the US, requiring GMO labeling, and ensuring Fair Trade certification applies to the entire supply chain. Dr Bron-

ner’s was a key business partner in establishing IMO’s ―Fair for Life‖ label in the US. www.drbronner.com

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Fair Trade Federation Fair Trade Federation (FTF) was formed in 1994, as the first network of FTOs in N. America. FTF now consists of about 250 wholesalers and retailers with annual retail sales on the order of $160 million. Most of these sales have been from handcrafts, not from food, drinks or other commodities. Located in Washington, DC, FTF is a trade association, whose mission is to strengthen and promote North American organizations fully committed to Fair Trade. www.fairtradefederation.org

Equal Exchange

In the United States, three food co-op members, Rink Dickinson, Jonathan Rosenthal and Michael Rozyne, began Equal Exchange in 1986 to promote social change for farmers worldwide and to provide high quality food products to the US market. They first began importing Nicaraguan cof-fee as a worker owned co-op. EE has grown into one of the 4 large fully committed Fair Trade organization in N. America, with annual sales around $35 million. www.equalexchange.coop

Fair Trade Resource Network

Fair Trade Resource Network (FTRN) is a non-profit organization founded in 1999 for Fair Trade education and dialogue. FTRN is the only N. American organization exclusively devoted to Fair Trade education and dialogue. It is also distinguished by its inclusiveness of the wide range of Fair Trade systems in its information and programs. Major programs include: a website about Fair Trade resources, news and activities; coordinating the largest annual Fair Trade event in N. America, World Fair Trade Day; producing publications like a Fair Trade calendar and booklet; hosting the only regular forums, as webinars, for discussion of key issues in Fair Trade; compiling the largest online directory of academic papers. www.ftrn.org

Fair Trade Towns USA

Fair Trade Towns USA is a national movement uniting community activists, businesses, and community groups from across the country who are dedicated to the principles of Fair Trade. There are currently 24 declared FTTs in the U.S. and scores of other active coalitions pursuing recognition. In 2008, FTUSA temporarily began caretaking the formerly inde-pendent organization. Major funding was provided by Green Mountain Coffee Roasters. www.fairtradetownsusa.org

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Global Exchange

Global Exchange (GX) is an international human rights organization based in San Francisco, California, that pro-

motes social, economic, and environmental justice around the world. GX operates Fair Trade stores in five locations as well as online. GX leads major Fair Trade action campaigns,

such as Reverse Trick-or-Treat, Valentine’s Day of Action, and Fair Trade Holiday Caroling. www.globalexchange.org

Fairtrade International

In 1997, labeling initiatives in several European countries came together to form Fairtrade Labeling Organizations (FLO)

as a single international system for monitoring and labeling Fair Trade products. Changing its name to Fairtrade Interna-tional in 2011, FI is comprised of 22 national labeling initia-

tives and 3 producer networks around the world that adminis-ter the FAIRTRADE mark. www.fairtrade.net

Fair World Project

Founded in 2010, FWP’s mission is to promote organic and Fair Trade practices and transparent third-party certification of producers, manufacturers and products, both in N. Amer-

ica and abroad. Through consumer education and advocacy, FWP supports dedicated Fair Trade producers and brands.

www.fairworldproject.org

Fairtrade Africa

Fairtrade Africa was founded in 2005, with the mission to promote the interests of African FI-certified producer organi-

zations within the wider FI system and in other trade corridors through increased access to better trading conditions. Mem-

bers include over 250 small producer organizations and plan-tations.

www.fairtradeafrica.net

Fair Trade USA

The Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy led the creation of TransFair USA in 1998 (renamed Fair Trade USA in 2010). FTUSA’s ―Fair Trade Certified‖ mark remains the most widely

recognized certified Fair Trade label in the U.S. Located in Oakland, CA, the nonprofit organization ended its member-ship in FI’s system in 2011. Its mark is changing in 2012

from the one at top right to the one at bottom left. www.fairtradeusa.org

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The Network of Asia Producers

NAP's mission is to be an organ of representation, coordina-tion, exchange, and collaboration for the empowerment of small-scale farmers' and farm workers' organizations from Asia within the framework of FI certification. NAP currently has around 200 organizations as members. www.fairtradenap.net

Latin American and Caribbean Network of Small Fair Trade Producers (CLAC)

Founded in 2004 as Coordinadora Latinoamericana y del Caribe de Pequenos Productores de Comercio Justo, CLAC is a FI-affiliated network that represents organizations of de-mocratically organized small producers. Its mission is to strengthen and develop grassroots organizations, provide assistance to associates, promote their products and values, and carry out advocacy within the framework of FI. A group within CLAC, FUNDEPPO, launched a Small Producers Symbol in 2010. CLAC presently counts around 300 member organi-zations representing about 200,000 producers. http://clac-comerciojusto.org

Institute for Marketecology IMO and the Swiss Bio-Foundation jointly launched a Fair Trade certification in 2006, called ―Fair for Life‖ (FFL), partly in response to demand for certification of products and pro-ducer situations not included in the then-dominant FI system. IMO had been a leading organic certifier in Europe, with its headquarters based in Switzerland. During 2010, FFL gained wide acceptance in the N. American market. www.fairforlife.net

Green America

Founded in 1982 as Co-op America in Washington, DC, Green America seeks to harness economic power to promote social-justice and environmental sustainability through economic strategies, mobilization and collective action. Major programs include publishing a Consumer Guide to Fair Trade, producing annual Green Festivals that include designated sections for Fair Trade businesses, and co-leading Fair Trade action cam-paigns. www.greenamericatoday.org/programs/fairtrade

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There are scores of other nonprofit players in the Fair Trade movement, including other faith-based organizations, student groups, international development

organizations, trade policy outfits, and labor rights groups.

World Fair Trade Organization

Formed as IFAT in 1989 by over 40 FTOs in Europe, the first global network of FTOs became World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO) in 2009. The network is a global representative body

of over 450 organizations operating in 75 countries and comprised of hundreds of thousands of artisans, farmers,

growers, producers, and supporters. Their goal is to enable small producers to improve their lives and communities by deliv-ering fair market access and advocacy, campaigning, market-

ing, and monitoring. www.wfto.com

Ten Thousand Villages In 1946, Edna Ruth Byler of the Mennonite Central

Committee began importing textiles from women in Puerto Rico to sell in the US and give the profit directly back to the

artisans. Her work inspired the creation of Ten Thousand Vil-lages in 1958, which today provides textiles, jewelry and

handcrafts from over 130 artisan groups in more than 38 countries. After opening N. America’s first Fair Trade retail store in 1972, Villages has grown to over 110 retail stores

throughout the US and Canada. www.tenthousandvillages.com

SERRV

To help European refugees recover from the effects of WWII, The Church of the Brethren established Sales Exchange for

Refugee Rehabilitation and Vocation (SERRV) in 1949, and it became the 2nd Fair Trade organization in N. America. Today,

SERRV has relationships with 75 community-based organizations in 36 countries. SERRV helped found the World

Fair Trade Organization and the Fair Trade Federation. www.serrv.org

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As Fair Trade grows in popularity among producers, consumers and retailers, challenges emerge. While Fair Trade advocates are united in their desire to improve conditions and opportunities for disadvantaged producers, they often disagree on how best to accomplish that. Struggling with complex issues is actually evidence of a healthy movement. Participants now grapple with new and decades-old questions, such as these key ones:

Reform or Replace Conventional Trade?

Perhaps the thorniest dilemma confronting Fair Traders in the early 21st century is this: Can Fair Trade achieve its full potential by changing conventional trade from within? Or is it better to develop alternative business models that take market share from mainstream companies and force them to meet higher standards?

Those who favor changing the system from within say that encouraging mainstream businesses to carry a few lines of Fair Trade items introduces the concept to vastly more consumers, benefiting far more producer families and communities. A differing view holds that developing alternative business models that capture significant market share will inspire higher standards in mainstream

―A small body of determined spirits fired by an unquenchable faith in their mission can alter the course of human history.‖

–M. Gandhi

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business. These higher stan-dards will then generate deeper, longer-lasting progress. Many alternative-model advo-cates welcome the trend to-ward mainstreaming, but call on those businesses to move beyond a token investment in Fair Trade and pursue greater social responsibility in all their dealings.

How to Determine a Fair Price and Standards? In different cultural and economic settings around the world, it is difficult to discern a universal price or conditions that will truly be ―‖fair for all.‖ For example, some producers care most about access to affordable financing, others about opportunities to reach expanded markets, others about the minimum price, and others about guaranteed long-term relationships. How can individuals in resource-rich, mostly westernized countries determine a fair living wage and just practices for producers in the developing world? Moreover, some advocates believe that standards should be

applied to an organization. Others believe that standards should be applied to a prod-uct, so that anyone can sell that item as Fair Trade. Further, should standards be set high enough to enable producers to move up an economic class, or just enough to reduce some impacts of pov-erty? Higher standards could facilitate pro-ducer empowerment and independence, but might raise the cost of production too high to compete. Some people believe standards should focus on the plight of the most marginal-ized, namely subsistence farmers and craftspeo-ple. Others believe that standards should apply to workers in plantations & factories, if that helps suppliers keep pace with the increase in demand for fairly traded products.

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Mamouna Keita cotton picking in Mali

Credit: Fair Trade USA

Sugar cane farmer cuts sample to taste

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How to Deal with Competing Labels & Ensure Credibility?

When consumers shop online, or visit craft stores and food markets, they are confronted with a wide variety of labels and messaging that advertise ―organic,‖ ―green,‖ ―sustainable,‖ ―hormone free,‖ ―sweat-free,‖ ―socially respon-sible,‖ and, increasingly in the last five years, ―Fair Trade.‖ Which accreditations best match the social justice interests of a given shopper?

Even within the Fair Trade world, there are various labels, accreditations, terms and criteria identifying how some product, or some organization, advances social justice and environmental sustainability. Unlike with organics, Fair Trade is not regulated by any government institution or single authority. So, conscious consumers now need to use precious time to discern the significant differences between various Fair Trade accreditations.

Many shoppers will insist on proof that the labels they see indeed verify claims. As social justice labels proliferate, and as some claims may prove misleading, shoppers could become fatigued and cynical, unable or unwilling to sift through the kind of information crucial to Fair Trade educational efforts.

Finally, the level of trust consumers have in any accreditation is at risk if businesses using that accreditation act irresponsibly in other ways. Some corporations under attack for their records on labor, the environment and community commitment may use a token Fair Trade involvement to try to

improve their brand image. The Fair Trade tenets of transparency and accountability may not be upheld by companies accustomed to keeping business information confidential.

Other Challenges Several other issues present both problems and opportuni-ties for people involved in Fair Trade. For producers,

participating in Fair Trade can change power relationships, as local authorities may become resentful, and have-nots may fall further behind. Producers may become more dependent on Fair Trade exports and neglect local markets.

Girl from a Nicaraguan Coffee Coop

World Fair Trade Day gathering

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Looking Ahead For over sixty years, Fair Trade advocates have found many ways to persevere. No doubt they can turn current challenges into opportunities. However, they need more of the general publ ic to participate since the scale of our world’s problems is so large. Educating citizens about global conditions remains a major objective for Fair Trade advocates, who are passionate about their desire to connect with, and expand opportunities for, the disadvantaged majority. In a world governed by supply and demand, consumers retain the ultimate say in what goods will sell. Increasingly, manufacturers are heeding consumers’ growing knowledge about, and demands for, human rights, economic equity and environmental sustainability. Growing media interest in the Fair Trade movement offers evidence of a culture hungry to spend its money in meaningful ways. As Fair Trade advocates create more alliances with labor, education, faith-based, political and business groups, and proponents of community and organic

agriculture, the movement gains strength. As consumers further embrace a system that prioritizes benefits for the disadvantaged majority, all humans move a step closer to an inspiring vision: a world where all people have the opportunity to benefit from the fruits of their labor, and from the wealth of the planet.

―Conventional wisdom now suggests that 'the market' is a neutral, uncontrollable force, im-mune to morality or persuasion, and not to be blamed for the harmful impact of certain trade practices. I suggest we all view 'the market' as 'the marketplace,' where people come to buy and sell their goods, and where people - not some invisible, unaccountable force - decide

what is acceptable and saleable."

– Pauline Tiffen, co-founder, Day Chocolate Co.

Elvia Almachi works with Fair Trade flowers at Agrogana Farm, Ecuador

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Shop Fair Trade It is very easy and rewarding to buy Fair Trade products, both online or in a store. Scores of quality products are available from major retailers as well as from small businesses. Fair Trade items are great values for kids and adults, home and office, regular days and special occasions. Many products and retailers are listed in the section ―Fair Trade By Some Numbers.‖ A few good ways to shop Fair Trade are: 1. Go to www.FTRN.org for up-to-date “Where to Buy” resources and links 2. Visit online or at a store of one of the hundreds of members of the Fair

Trade Federation at www.FairTradeFederation.org 3. Find retail outlets and brands associated with the widely recognized

certifications, from those certifications’ websites. 4. Ask you local stores to carry Fair Trade goods

Learn More Lots of engaging flyers, books, videos, Power Point presentations, events and people are available to beginners as well as advanced Fair Traders. Most Fair Trade Organizations offer free or low-cost educational resources for all ages. A few good ways to learn more are: 1. Go to www.FTRN.org for up-to-date

“Learn Up” resources, such as flyers, book and film reviews, Power Point presentations, a catalog of academic papers, and more

2. Sign up for FTRN’s free, monthly e-newsletter on the FTRN.org home page to keep up with developments in the movement

3. Visit the Fair Trade Federation at www.FairTradeFederation.org for tools about fully committed Fair Trade Organizations

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How to get More

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4. Contact any of the hundreds of Fair Trade Organizations who are members of FTF or WFTO, and the major players listed in the “Brief History of Fair Trade” chapter

5. Visit www.fairworldproject.org for information about dedicated Fair Trade brands and both international & domestic fairly traded goods.

6. Visit websites of certifiers and brands of Fair Trade products. 7. Ask you local stores for information about the Fair Trade goods they carry 8. Attend a an education event offered by a nonprofit organization or

business. Some are listed on the Events Calendar at www.FTRN.org 9. Go on a Fair Trade producer trip, many of which are listed at www.FTRN.org

Spread the Word Since many people haven’t heard of Fair Trade, or don’t know what it really is, you can serve as an effective ambassador for Fair Trade. There are lots of easy and fun ways to introduce Fair Trade to oth-ers. A few good ways to share Fair Trade with family, friends, colleagues and neighbors are: 1. Refer people to flyers, books and

films and more at www.FTRN.org 2. Pass along any of the resources

referenced in the Learn More section above 3. Organize an event, such as a film showing, food and drink tasting,

book discussion, fashion show, sports game, spa night or other activity. Use the free Event Planning Guide on FTRN’s Toolkit page.

4. Introduce your friends to advocates, retailers and others involved in Fair Trade

5. Ask you local stores to carry Fair Trade goods 6. Ask your workplace, school or faith community

to use Fair Trade goods 7. Give a Fair Trade gift for birthdays, holidays,

visits to friends homes, and special occasions 8. Take a friend on a Fair Trade shopping outing 9. Teach kids about Fair Trade with curricula for

all ages, details at www.FTRN.org

Involved in Fair Trade

Montclair, NJ, Fair Trade Club spreading Fair Trade at expo

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Work or Volunteer Hundreds of businesses and nonprofits hire staff and volunteers to do Fair Trade work. Some people start their own Fair Trade businesses. Find resources at these organizations: 1. Go to the jobs listing page of

FTRN, at www.FTRN.org 2. Go to the jobs listings page of FTF

members, at www.FairTradeFederation.org

3. Volunteer with faith-based groups, such as Ten Thousand Villages and SERRV, and others described in the “Major Players” section of the “Brief History of Fair Trade” chapter

4. Contact any of the organizations listed in the “Major Players” section, and contact the members and partners of those organizations

Join an Action Campaign Throughout the year, there are many action campaigns that make it worthwhile, easy and fun to advocate for Fair Trade. A few actions to suggest are: 1. Host an event for World Fair Trade Day,

the largest Fair Trade event in N. America, which seeks to build awareness of Fair Trade. Details at www.FTRN.org

2. Do Reverse Trick-or-Treat, where you hand Fair Trade sweets and information sheets to home occupants during Halloween. Organized by Global Exchange, at www.globalexchange.org

3. Join the national Valentine’s Day of action, organized by Global Exchange at www.global exchange.org

4. Organize a Fair Trade Town, where citizens, businesses and government ally to stand for Fair Trade. Organized by Fair Trade Towns USA at www.fairtradetownsusa.org

5. Advocate for trade policy reform, by searching for an up-to-date campaign 6. Support or donate to a nonprofit organization that advocates for Fair

Trade, such as FTRN

Thanks for getting involved to help improve the lives of marginalized farmers and artisans around the world! Your life will be much richer too!

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About Fair Trade Resource Network FTRN promotes Fair Trade through:

World Fair Trade Day – annually we coordinate N. America’s largest Fair Trade

event. 2009 had over 65,000 people take part in 454 events covered by 101

different media articles.

FTRN.org - this acclaimed website serves as a major hub of information, for

over 100,000 people per year seeking to learn more about, and get involved

with, Fair Trade.

Educational Materials– FTRN has developed several booklets, the Fair Trade

wall calendar, an annual photo contest, a Power Point presentation and bro-

chures about Fair Trade.

Discussion on Key Issues Within Fair Trade – we organize the only regular

webinars on key issues in Fair Trade, facilitate meetings of Fair Trade move-

ment leaders, and produce public seminars to strengthen Fair Trade.

Publishing the most comprehensive, and inclusive news in the Fair Trade

movement, via web page, RSS feed, Facebook and monthly enewsletter.

Partnering on other N. American Fair Trade collaborations. We partner in Re-

verse Trick-or-Treating, Fair Trade Month, and more advocacy actions, and are

active on the Advisory Committee of Fair Trade Towns and United Students for

Fair Trade.

Fair Trade Society—any individual can join N. America’s only inclusive, grass-

roots membership program for the movement and access analysis of news,

receive free advocacy resources, and qualify for specials on products.

Please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to FTRN. FTRN is a nonprofit

501c3 organization that gathers, develops and disseminates educational re-

sources about Fair Trade. Order our publications online.

FTRN is distinguished by its inclusive approach to Fair Trade, educating about vari-

ous recognitions and certifiers in a fragmented movement.

Contact us at:

FTRN www.FTRN.org

P.O. Box 150 phone: 917-464-5558

Batesville, VA 22924 email: [email protected]

Back cover photo of banana farmer courtesy of Fairtrade Federation

Back cover photo of apprentices walking home from sewing class courtesy of Global Mamas

This booklet... ...provides a comprehensive overview of the North American Fair Trade movement, from the conception of the Fair Trade concept to the events that have molded the movement today.

F a i r T r a d e R e s o u r c e N e t w o r k

this publication will help readers... ...understand how Fair Trade relationships enhance the quality of life for producers, their families, their communities & especially women. ...interact with a global community that takes action to ease the inequalities wrought by traditional trade structures. …navigate the complicated world of organizations, labels and definitions of Fair Trade.

FTRN’s mission... ...is to improve people’s l ives through Fair Trade alternatives by providing information, leadership, and inspiration. FTRN gathers, develops, and disseminates educational re-sources to people and organizations interested in the movement to build a more just and sustain-able world through Fair Trade.

FTRN’s vision... ...as a result of FTRN’s work, the Fair Trade movement will expand significantly in breadth and depth.

We are committed to creating positive change in the world by empowering consumers with an understanding of the impact of their purchasing choices and by edu-cating businesses about the impact of their trading

practices. We be-lieve that the economic oppor-tunities created by Fair Trade will benefit all, par-ticularly the world’s most disadvan-taged.

Fair Trade farmers are able to invest in infrastructure improvements and quality control,

Juliana Jaramillo Cooperative, Dominican Republic

Sales of this booklet fund Fair Trade

education. For more copies, contact:

www.FTRN.org

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An Overview of Fair Trade in North America

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