Fair Trade Coffee

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Google Coffee, MSN Coffee, Fair Trade News

What comprises the fair in “fair trade” coffee?

“Fair trade” is a term that is gaining popularity and recognition in every shop and eatery across America, from the supermarket to the local coffee shop.

Although the idea of buying something that has the implication of being fair might seem like a good idea, are you certain that you understand the true meaning behind the label?

A basic explanation of the fair trade label asserts that it is a method of global trade intended to provide equal and just compensation to the farmers and creators that reside in underdeveloped regions of the world. The second portion of the fair trade label that is equally important stresses the fact that under no circumstance was the certified item produced under unjustifiable labor conditions such as child employment.

The Fair Trade Federation is an organization comprised of numerous producers and distributors of fair trade certified products. When asked for a brief description of the meaning of the term “fair trade”, executive director Carmen K. Iezzi stated, “It’s a system of exchange based on partnership and respect that seeks to use business as a tool to empower the poor and create development.”

The Fair Trade Federation is on the rise

After being formally established in 1994, the Fair Trade Federation increased its members each year. Even though most of the 275 plus members are located in North America, there are over 15 countries involved with the Fair Trade Federation. These numbers continue to rise each day. The increase in membership has been confirmed by Iezzi who has said that in one year’s time the Federation instituted 60 new memberships. She believes that more business savvy individuals are becoming aware that offering fair trade products will provide them with a feasible chance at profit increase.

The likely reason for the possible opportunity lays in the fact that there is an improved sense of awareness among shoppers who are inquiring about the origins of the items they are purchasing. People are learning that they can use items they purchase in their daily lives to revolutionize communities all over the world.

The amount of money spent on the fair trade market increased nearly 41 percent from 2005 to 2006, and has significantly increased further from 2006 to 2007. This information is made available by groups that regulate and support fair trade products on an international level such as Fairtrade Labeling Organizations International.

A large majority of the expansion can be accredited to the coffee industry. Every shop across America that serves coffee has a fair trade variety, from large store chains and big business brewers to local mom and pop shops. Businesses regularly promote their fair trade coffee both as a way to improve conditions around the world as well as to help boost their own revenue.

Even though it may seem that the big business corporations are the only ones touting the fair trade label, this is far from the truth. Individually owned shops are promoting fair trade products as well as items created by local artists in their communities so that consumers can support those who live hundreds of miles away in foreign countries as well as their own neighbors.

Kenyan Jewelry

Fair trade jewelry items from Kenya are available at suppliers such as the World Gallery. The jewelry they offer is certified fair trade and each purchase helps support the jobs given to people with disabilities in Kenya. World Gallery also offers items made in America through programs that help provide employment and education for poverty stricken women.

Although the handmade soaps made through the American program cannot technically be labeled as fair trade, the World Gallery founders wanted to support them. Employment laws in America prevent the country from needing the fair trade label, however, many programs still exist that help lower income and poverty stricken people right here in the United States. The owners of World Gallery, Karen and Chad Bordelon expressed that they “wanted to do fair trade but take it a step further.” By embracing the American programs that help those who need it people can show their support right here in the United States.

A comparable philosophy sits at the heart of IN exchange, an organization rooted in New Orleans that supports both foreign and local craftspeople.

The president of the company, Erica Trani, understands that even a small amount of purchased goods can significantly aid a region of the world that is trying hard to advance itself. Despite t he fact that a small purchase will not have as large of an impression on an American city, Trani states that representing people of the community “really helps the local artists individually who are featured in the store.”

The Secluded South

Part of the responsibility of running a place like IN Exchange includes enlightening the community on exactly what it means to bear the label of fair trade.

Trani conveyed the fact that fair trade practices in any region of the South is a rare commodity that “can be rather lonely.” She works hard at teaching the people that visit the shop about the meaning of fair trade and how it works. Although fair trade items may be found in shops on every street corner on the West coast, it proves to be an unknown concept down in the South. Trani believes that fair trade is a “way of life” in regions like the West coast, and to help change that fact she states,“I always try to talk to customers about fair trade, what it is, what is does, when they come into the store.”

Purchasing a fair trade item is as easy as reading a label. TransFair USA can officially certify some items and provide them a label, from coffee to chocolate as well as other agricultural goods. The TransFair certification label ensures consumers that they are buying a true fair trade item that supports the equality of trade with farms across the globe. TransFair USA seeks to provide an international market for Americans looking to purchase items from foreign lands, according to Anthony Marek. Marek, the communications director of TransFair USA also expresses the fact that the TransFair label plays a big part in this process.

Companies that seek to become a member of the Fair Trade Federation must undergo a strict evaluation before being accepted. Since the Federation does not actually certify goods as fair trade, they do all they can to guarantee the businesses in their association indeed practice fair trade standards. The basic principles of fair trade apply to the businesses that wish to be included in the Fair Trade Federation and include standards such as fair pay, safe working environments and buyer awareness actions.

Health care and education

Most fair trade products are not sold by individuals within a rising country, but instead are supplied through a collective organization. These groups also offer the participants health care, education for advancing their work practices and other forms of guidance.

China offers an example of a program with this way of thinking. Deep in the Chinese countryside, Threads of Yunnan is comprised of women crafting authentic handmade items such as handbags. The workers have most likely never been formally educated, and their families make less money annually than it costs four people to attend a movie here in the United States.

Threads of Yunnan provides much more than an income to these women. The organization seeks to offer education in various other areas such as reading, dietary management and finance organization.

The Fair Trade Federation believes that their members truly wish to see a shift in areas that they are supporting. “The heart of it all is to allow producers to change their own lives”, Iezzi said. This way of thinking is similar to the old adage, “Give a man a fish and he’ll eat for a day, teach a man to fish and he’ll eat for a lifetime.” By supporting the growth of societies all across the world the Fair Trade Federation helps others to help themselves.

Nearly three quarters of those who stand to gain from the fair-trade system are female. The Fair Trade Federation notes that “Often these women are mothers and the sole wage earners in the home.”

This detail inspired the founders of World Gallery to open their doors. The Bordelons knew that they would be assisting poverty stricken women and their children, and this fact attracted them to the idea of running a fair trade business. Karen Bordelon believes that supporting fair trade lends a hand to people that would otherwise need to put their children in an orphanage. She would know, since the Bordelons have adopted their own children from similar places in Russia. Visiting Russia exposed an entire new sense of realism to the Bordelons, and made them understand how lucky people in the United States truly are, according to Chad Bordelon. Hopefully through the sales of fair trade items here in the States they and others like them can help to bring awareness to consumers all across the country.

Kaldi is a wholesale coffee and equipment supplier. We specialize in commercial coffee machines, flavored coffee and cafe supplies.