Day 18 - Try fair trade on for size

You have likely heard of the term, fair trade, but I want to present to you the true benefits of choosing fair trade over 'regular trade' products.

"Fair trade is based on a business model that puts workers and the environment first, not last. Fair-trade businesses buy from producers that are committed to the following criteria in their relationships with farmers and workers:

- Cooperative and healthy workplaces that provide workers with a large degree of self-determination;
- Pay a "living wage," i.e., one that ensures that workers are paid enough to meet their basic daily living needs;
- Environmental sustainability;
- Respect for cultural identity; and,
- Transparency and public accountability in their trading relationships." (Taken from an article written by Larry Landry)

Two examples of what happens without fair trade include:
- Haitian workers getting paid 9 cents in labor for sewing a Disney sweatshirt that sells for $25.
- When workers in a U.S. factory in Nicaragua tried to organize, the company fired them. When that was exposed in the U.S., the company moved to an Asian country where labor unions are prohibited. (Taken from an article written by Larry Landry)

Fair trade farmer Bertha Fanueli Matowo on her shamba or coffee farm, on the slopes of Mt Kilimanjaro, Tanzania 

So, what products can you buy fair trade? The three main commodities you will see is coffee, tea and chocolate. But fair trade items come is all shapes and sizes - rice, sugar, fresh fruit, flowers, vanilla, wine, crafts, home decor, jewellery etc.

Green America released this excellent "Guideline to Fair Trade" which not only gives you fair trade options, but also lists of companies that sell these various products online. You can also check out your local "10,000 villages store" which services 100% fair trade products.

When it comes to fair trade, my personal view is: why not? So Day 18 Challenge is to try out fair trade!
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I apologize posting this a day late, but I came across a "fair trade finder" for Canada where you type in your location to search for fair trade stores near you.

http://fairtrade.ca/en/fair_trade_finder