How does Fair Trade Help People and the Planet?
Learn more about why Fairtradehelps.org was launched and why you should care about fair trade and sustainability.
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.
1.
jordan | January 15, 2010 at 6:14 am
when is fairtrade friday
2.
lucumadesigns | January 15, 2010 at 11:31 am
Hi Jordan,
I’m not familiar with Fair Trade Friday, though there are always FT events going on. Fair Trade Fortnight 2010 is from Feb 22 – March 7. You can learn more here: http://www.fairtrade.org.uk/thebigswap/about_the_big_swap/
Also, World Fair Trade Day is Saturday May 8th, 2010. Visit the official site to learn how you can participate: http://www.worldfairtradeday10.org/
3.
AJ | February 24, 2010 at 12:30 pm
when is fair trade friday plz tell
4.
lucumadesigns | February 24, 2010 at 1:11 pm
Hi AJ, World fair trade day this year is May 8 (a Saturday). I’m unfamiliar with FT Friday, but there are several events going on…. World Fair Trade Day, Fair Trade Fortnight, etc.. you can see more about what’s happening on World FT Day here: http://www.worldfairtradeday10.org/ Cheers! ~Liz
5.
WillBill Baines | February 6, 2011 at 5:17 pm
Hi, I am WillBill an I need this for my homework.
How many people Fair trade help?
Thank you!
6.
lucumadesigns | February 9, 2011 at 12:33 pm
Hi WillBill,
That is a great question. As I can only speak for Lucuma Designs, better to contact the Fair Trade Resource Network about global numbers & statistics for fair trade. Their website is: http://www.ftrn.org
Cheers!
7.
aj | March 6, 2011 at 1:36 pm
im doing a project on fairtrade and i think fairtrade is a really good idea!!! keep up the good work guys!!!
8.
Mariah Diekevers | March 7, 2011 at 5:26 pm
How does Fair Trade help people in Latin America? How does FT work? What countries does it help? How can i make a difference ( what products can i buy?)
9.
lucumadesigns | March 29, 2011 at 12:27 pm
Hi Mariah,
Great questions! There are companies empowering people all over the world, including Latin America! Fair Trade is hard to explain quickly, but it generally is practiced in 3rd world countries with established cooperatives or family workshops. It revolves around fair wages, safe working conditions, retaining cultural identity, environmental stewardship, and building long term artist and community relationships. You can make a difference by learning more about fair trade, educating others, and buying fair trade foods & crafts. Right now, Fair trade constitutes just a small bit of the $$$ wheel for gifts and commodities. But as each person chooses to make a difference, the difference starts to be made! You can learn even more at the Fair Trade Resource Network and at the Fair Trade Federation. At the FTF site, there’s even an option to search for stores in your area. Hopefully, you can get some great things from them, or request fair trade in your other favorite local stores. Cheers! ~Liz
ps. – oh yeah, and some products you might find are sugar, tea, coffee, bananas, baskets, toys, clothing, finger puppets, home decor, garden decor, tabletop accessories… all kinds of things!
10.
lucumadesigns | April 13, 2011 at 9:03 am
Hi Daniel,
I’m glad to hear you are checking out fair trade! What in particular are you wondering? Some great resources are http://www.ftrn.org and www.fairtradefederation.com.
Cheers!
Liz
11.
amber carrot | October 3, 2011 at 7:38 am
i think fairtrade is a good idea because it helps people who are not as lucky as us
12.
suzie | January 11, 2012 at 1:57 pm
hi my geography homework is about fair trade , and i would just like to know in what ways can fair trade improve or help a place / the environment.
13.
lucumadesigns | January 11, 2012 at 3:44 pm
Good luck with your homework! Fair Trade can improve a place by supplying work and/or better wages to small communities or disenfranchised people groups. For example, some FT companies specifically help poor widows or people who’ve been victims of human trafficking or political oppression. As a structure Fair trade operates under several principles & guidelines: http://www.fairtradefederation.org/ht/d/sp/i/8447/pid/8447.
Environment: many crafters use reclaimed, recycled, or renewable materials to create a craft or organic farming methods for food. And since most work is done by hand, there is limited (electric, gas, etc) energy being used to make a product.
14.
kate | March 13, 2012 at 11:38 am
hi im doing my last project in dida in year 11 how does buying fair trade chocolate help the farmers who grow the produce tha katie
15.
lucumadesigns | March 13, 2012 at 11:53 am
Hi Katie,
Good luck with your project! There’s a great documentary called “The Dark Side of Chocolate” available at the Fair Trade Resource Network. You will find good information there and may have some success speaking directly to chocolate companies such as Divine Chocolate, Equal Exchange, Green & Black’s Organic, Theo, or Alter Eco. They have first-hand insight into what’s going on in the fields.
Cheers!
Liz