5 Reasons to Shop Fair Trade

Fair trade is a term used often in the modern world. The fact is the world functioned in fair trade for most of the time in history.

What does Fair Trade actually mean? Fair Trade is the product certification system claiming that all the products with its brand meet environmental, labor, and production standards set forth by Fairtrade International. The products covered by this seal include the following: bananas, honey, oranges, cocoa coffee, shortbread, cotton, dried and fresh fruits and vegetables, juice, nuts, oils, quinoa, rice, spices, sugar, tea, and wine. The textile products include toys, clothing, and accessories. In some countries, furnishings and home textiles are produced using Fair Trade processes.

Here are 5 excellent reasons to support Fair Trade shopping.

1. Being certified as a purveyor of Fair Trade textile products means the company must adhere to strict guidelines regarding laborers' safety, appropriate compensation for the labor force, and in the case of the cotton growers and produce farmers, a financial premium to invest in their communities. The funds go to things such as the construction of new schools, better access to health care, and cash bonuses.
2. An important part of the Fair Trade practice is to make sure farmers and workers have an active say in workplace happenings. Workers get training in filing grievances and engage in information sessions about their rights to organize.
3. Women are an integral part of the Fair Trade practices. Equal pay and equal rights, maternity leave, and freedom from sexual harassment, or harassment of any nature, are at the forefront of the Fair Trade requirements regarding women.
4. Further mandates of the Fair Trade certification are environmental. Proper waste disposal, water runoff, the use of certain chemicals, is strictly regulated. These standards apply to farms and manufacturing plants. Water conservation and energy usage conservation are also carefully tracked by the governing bodies in each country. Sustainability and forest protections are also mandatory elements of the Fair Trade certification for any products manufactured using wood. Manufacturing plants in countries around the world report worker satisfaction is high and retention rates for employees are also quite high.
5. Child labor is strictly prohibited in any Fair Trade certified farm or manufacturing facility. Products identified and certified as Fair Trade help farmers, producers, and employees benefit and the protections in place save the planet, and the world's children.

Start Shopping Fair Trade

Straight as an Arrow Duffel Bag Fair Trade Mexico	Baby Elephant Toy Fair Trade Bangladesh	Milta Tote Fair Trade Mexico