What is Fair Trade?

Fair Trade values are making their way to the US as American consumers become increasingly concerned about the origin of the products they buy, and aware of the environmental and social footprints of their purchases. This Fair Trade movement is growing along the same grassroots lines as the Organics industry, which began as a fringe movement but is now global—and worth twenty-three billion dollars (2002, Organic Monitor). In 2000, Fair Trade sales in North America totaled one hundred million dollars. This figure reached one hundred and eighty million dollars within two years, with the majority of revenues coming from agricultural products: coffee, tea, chocolate, and fruit. On its own, the Fair Trade handicrafts market generated 13.8 million dollars in 2002. Fair Trade as a movement is gathering momentum, and we’re expecting exponential growth as education and awareness spread.

World of Good Fair Trade Sourcing Criteria

• Pay a fair wage in the local context to the artisan that crafted the product. World of Good: Development Organization, our sister non-profit, has created a revolutionary Fair Trade Wage Tool that is available online at Fair Trage Calculator.

• Purchase from cooperatives, non-profit organizations or directly from the artisans whenever possible. If using an intermediary, ensure that a fair portion goes back to the artisan.

• Provide employment without discrimination, and strive to create employment opportunities for women and the most disadvantaged communities.

• Ensure that all artisans have access to a safe and clean work environment, whether it is a workshop, a community meeting space, or their own homes.

• Guarantee that no child labor is used in production—unless the entire family is involved in the craft and the children are still attending school.

• Engage in long-term trading relationships to promote sustainable economies. Increase economic stability by paying 50 percent up front to underwrite materials and production costs.

• Follow environmentally sustainable production practices whenever possible: encourage artisans to select local raw materials, harvest them sustainably and use renewable energy. Avoid processes that require artificial chemicals.

• Provide technical assistance, market information, and product development support to the producers.