Image by franz88 via Flickr

 

What Does Fair Trade Really Mean?

Fair Trade provides a fair price for farmers which leads to higher living standards, thriving communities and more sustainable farming practices. It aims to educate and empower disadvantaged producers and connect them to a market, so they too can participate in global trade.

What Are Fair Trade products?

Almost everything you buy can be Fair Trade. The most common items are food products such as: coffee, tea, bananas, chocolate, sugar, rice, spices, cocoa, fruit, nuts, oils,  flowers, and handicrafts. For an extensive list of Fair Trade products look here.

Why Fair Trade?

By buying fair trade products, you are supporting:

• Fair Prices for Workers
• Healthy Working Environments
• Community Development (Schools, Health Care, Electricity, etc.)
• Environmental Sustainability
• Gender Equality in terms of Wages and Benefits
• Democratic and Transparent Organizations
• Higher Quality Products
• Respect

And you are saying NO to:

• Cyclical, Inescapable Poverty
• Environmental Degradation
• Forced Child Labor and Slavery
• Unsafe, Unlawful Working Conditions

International Fairtrade Certification Mark

Fair Trade Certified Mark (USA & Canada)

WFTO Fair Trade Organization Mark

What You Can Do?

Fair Trade can only be successful if consumers (you and I) choose products that are Fair Trade Certified. Supporting Fair Trade is as easy as buying bananas or a cup of coffee. Just look for the fair trade label on the products you buy or ask your vendor if the product is Fair Trade certified. You can raise awareness in your community or just amongst friends and family by talking about Fair Trade. You can also organize events and initiatives in the classroom, office, city, or place of worship.

Club Dine In! has partnered with Fair Trade USA for a mixer to kickoff Fair Trade Month (October) in San Francisco, Ca. If you are in town, please come by and meet us! Each attendee will receive a special box of Fair Trade Tea and sample high quality cocktails, tea, chocolate, and much more! Sign up on Eventbrite or Facebook to save $5 at the door.

You can register for the event at: http://fairtrademonth.eventbrite.com/ and share the event with friends on Facebook.

Did you know that Club Dine In! is on Twitter and Facebook? Follow @clubdinein for daily health, fitness, and social news, recipes and delicious tips! Join the Club Dine In! community on Facebook to connect with like-minded individuals and find out about exclusive Club Dine! events.