What is fair trade and where can I find fair trade products?
The growing fair trade industry encompasses a number of issues, most notably providing decent living standards and a living wage to producers.
Fair trade products are made without "sweatshop" labor under good working conditions. The Fair Trade Federation lists the following criteria for fair trade industries:
- Paying a fair wage in the local context
- Offering employees opportunities for advancement
- Providing equal employment opportunities for all people
- Engaging in environmentally sustainable practices
- Being open to public accountability
- Building long-term trade relationships
- Providing healthy and safe working conditions within the local context
- Providing financial and technical assistance to producers whenever possible
[Taken from The Fair Trade Federation's Membership Criteria]
Fair trade is beneficial for all of those involved, since it provides safety and accountability for the consumer and security and decent wages for the producer. Fair trade also fosters environmental stewardship, values traditional cultures, promotes democracy and educates consumers.
A variety of fair trade foods are available on the market and many can be found in your local area:
Fair Trade Resources
| 
