I have to admit, I had a bit of myopia when my friend Greg introduced me to Fair Trade coffee a while back. Where it came from was the furthest from my mind while I was sipping and feeling the delightful caffeinated bite that refreshed my taste buds. It’s not just coffee.

Now, when I visit a store, I pause to look for Fair Trade labeling. Fair Trade is a multi-billion dollar industry that has producers providing a range of Fair Trade crafts, chocolate, vanilla, fruit, clothes, toys, and even gym supplies — to name a few.

It’s worth mentioning that most of the competitively priced products produced through Fair Trade practices don’t have a negative impact on American jobs. Fair Trade promotes the use of ethical collaborations in global trading to assist underprivileged locations.

Seven traits of Fair Trade:

  • Consumer education
  • Non-hostile, healthy workplaces where workers’ wages are fair, regardless of gender and age
  • Demonstrate cultural awareness and respect
  • Focus on environmental sustainability and protection
  • Nurtures and empowers independence through long-term relationships
  • Continuous quality improvement
Why you will make a difference: Purchasing an item, or two, or more produced with Fair Trade practices will help support others in need and you’ll help spread demand for products produced in a more favorable manner. Look for the internationally recognized Fair Trade label when choosing applicable products. Fair Trade label