What Is Fair Trade? Know All About It
Are you concerned about a farmer far away in Africa getting a better life while you sip your favorite coffee? If yes, then you’ve got to know about the concept of Fair Trade. It’s amazing how we have no idea about the situation of third world countries while we are comfortably sitting in our air conditioned homes. Let’s take out some time and do our bit of contributing to the life of an underprivileged laborer.
Understanding the basics
How many times have you shelled out some extra monies for that Gucci bag you were eying for the longest time? Many a times, isn’t it? The same applies to fair trade. Fair trade works on the principle that a customer from a developed nation like USA or UK, wouldn’t mind paying a little extra to ensure that the local producers in third world countries like Africa, India, Mexico or Brazil will benefit. And mind you, this is pure philanthropic spirit. You will be paying extra for a Fair Trade coffee not because of its superior exotic taste and quality, but simply because you mean to show support to the farmers and laborers who make those coffee beans. Sounds worth it, isn’t it?
Statistics seem to back up the fact that fair trade works; according to TransFair USA, fair trade has produced about $200 million in additional income for farmer and producer organizations since 1998.
The value of a fair trade seal
We are sure the next thing you are thinking about is, “Who decides what goods are fair trade?” Well, we’ve already understood that all the extra revenue that developing countries earn out of fair trade dealings, is invested into building schools, hospitals and other facilities in the country. But you know what– all this doesn’t come easy! There’s a long drawn procedure for goods to acquire that precious Fair Trade Certified Label. The numbers of criteria are literally mind boggling. It includes checking on labor conditions of a community, methodologies of farming, procedure of electing local heads, equipments used and so on. etc. The list is long. In short, what we need to understand is, that once a good is marked as a Fair Trade good, it’s an assurance that your money goes to safe hands. And mind you, these goods include a wide range – coffee, rice, apparel, food ingredients, crops and much more.
The farmer focus
Some people have no awareness of where their food is coming from. What’s the point of not being aware of what is going on in the world? Imagine how nice you will feel at the end of the day when you know that your money has strengthened the economic position of a poor farmer somewhere in India or that you’ve prevented a corrupt landlord from sucking money out of his labor. Trust us, ladies, that feeling is just too good. And guess what? It’s not just farmers who are being empowered; Fairtrade is such a unique scheme that it creates a win-win situation for producers, businesses and consumers.
A Fair Trade town
Now that you’re a fair trade convert, you’ve first got to check if your town is a fair trade town or not. Let us tell you, if it is not, then you’re left far behind! A fair trade town is nothing too complicated, it is simply an area where there is high level of awareness and consumption of Fair trade and maximum number of retailers for the same.
Growing popularity
Fair trade is completely in vogue these days. Isn’t it great to know that sales of Fair trade certified products have been growing at an average rate of 40% per year over the last five years? We think that is phenomenal. Not enough, of course, but a great start. Did you know that there are now over 10,000 Fair trade products sold in over 70 countries? And here’s something interesting, Fair trade is expanding its range to apparel, linens and cosmetics. For all you know, you’ll be having your favorite Ben & Jerry’s ice cream as a Fair Trade product in just less than two years.
The world had made a great start at this but it’s important to get the momentum going. Just like it takes a drop after a drop to fill the ocean, everyone’s efforts and conscious choice towards buying Fair trade products will go a long way.
