What is Fair Trade?
Fair Trade is based on the simple idea that the products we buy and sell are connected to the livelihoods of others. A choice for Fair Trade Certified™ goods is a choice to support responsible companies, empower farmers, workers, and fishermen, and protect the environment.
People making Fair Trade Certified™ goods work in safe conditions, protect the environment, build sustainable livelihoods, and earn additional money to empower and uplift their communities. Buying Fair Trade products is a way to make a conscious choice for a better world.
Fair Trade (also called Ethical Trade) is focused on relationships which honor the dignity of the worker. Fair Trade supply chains cut out a number of steps; many fair trade coffee suppliers, for example, know the names and the stories of the coffee growers.
Why should I buy Fair Trade?
Where can I find Fair Trade products? How do I know if an item I want to buy supports Fair Trade?
You can find Fair Trade foods in neighborhood stores! Shopping the local Food Lion, Lidl, Kroger, Harris Teeter, Wegmans, Whole Foods, and Trader Joe’s grocers, you will find Fair Trade coffee, tea, and chocolates. You may also find Fair Trade organic cane, brown, and powdered sugars, baking chocolate/chocolate chips, agave, coconut oil, and quinoa. Kroger and Harris Teeter sell the Simple Truth Organic brand which includes Fair Trade foods. You may be surprised by what you find -- the number of Fair Trade items continues to grow!
Look for these labels on each package:
Online links:
Fair Trade Certified shopping guide (by store)
Fair Trade Certified products (product search)
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) shopping guide
Fair Trade America shopping guide
The Ethical List (a magazine-style flip book)
Where can I learn more about Fair Trade?
Discover more about Fair Trade at the Fair Trade Certified website
Learn the difference between Fair Trade and Free Trade
Watch the video below "Fair Trade Explained in Under 2 Minutes"
Please also keep all Fair Trade partners - from growers to suppliers - in your prayers! We pray for: