Facts About Fair Trade

Why Choose Fair Trade Coffee?        What is Fair Trade?      Who Benefits      The Conclusion

Why Choose Fair Trade Coffee?

Fairly traded coffee benefits many: from farmers in producer countries, to consumers, to all of us by the environmental benefits acheived through fair trade practices. As a system of trade based on respect for worker's rights and the environment, fair trade can help reverse the environmental degredation and growing inequieties that have been a result of the growth in world trade as we now know it.

By taking a simple step of buying only fairly traded coffee you send a signal to others that this is the best form of trade. More importantly your purchase directly benefits the poor farmers and their families. Your purchase also helps prevent further environmental degredation.

It is a simple choice, and a small step that has so many benefits and one that sends a signal to others to get involved and make a difference. This is one decision that you can know has direct results on many people. Won't you choose to have a clean conscience when you take your next sip of coffee?

What Is Fair Trade?

Fair trade connects producers and consumers in more equitable, more meaningful and more sustainable ways. Fair Trade is based on seven principles as quoted by the Fair Trade Federation (FTF), the largest association of fair trade organizations.

• Fair wages
  Paying fair wages does not necessarily mean that products cost the consumer more. Since Fair Trade Organizations bypass exploitative middlemen and work directly with producers, they are able to cut costs and return a greater percentage of the retail price to the producers.
  
• Cooperative workplaces
  Fair Trade Organizations work primarily with small businesses, worker owned and democratically run cooperatives and associations which bring significant benefits to workers and their communities.
  
• Consumer Education
  Fair Trade Organizations educate consumers about the importance of purchasing fairly traded products which support living wages and healthy working conditions.
  
• Environmental Sustainability
  Fair Trade Organizations encourage producers to engage in environmentally friendly practices which manage and use local resources sustainably.
  
• Financial and Technical Support
  Small-scale farmers and artisans in the developing world lack access to affordable financing, impeding their profitability. FTF members that buy products directly from producers often provide financial assistance either through direct loans, prepayment or by linking producers with sources of financing.
  
• Respect for cultural identity
  Fair Trade Organizations encourage the production and development of products based on producers' cultural traditions adapted for Western markets.
  
• Public Accountability
  FTF members' finances, management policies, and business practices are open to the public and monitoring by the Fair Trade Federation.
  

Who Benefits?

The Farmer

• Fair trade increases annual incomes of small farmers
• Fair trade helps put in place tools for self-sufficiency
• Fair trade assists small farmers to stay out of high interest debt
• Fair Trade helps build infrastructure in farmers community

The Consumer

• Fair trade lets consumers have a clear conscience about their purchases
• Fair trade lets consumers assist and empower others with their buying power
• Fair trade lets consumers be part of a social justice movement through a simple action
• Fair trade allows consumers to intiate a chain of responses that will positvely impact the lives of poor coffee farmers and their families.

The Environment

• Small farmers use organic methods, which are more environmentally friendly and sustainable
• Small farmers disperse their plants throughout a region, a more environmentally friendly method
• Small farmers plant shade grown coffee which is key to protecting certain species of birds
• The existence of small farmers helps prevent the clear-cutting of larger estates

The Conclusion

Commit to purchasing and drinking only fairly traded coffee and begin the cycle of positive effects in your life, the lives of others and the world around you!