The concept of fair trade is simple. Producers in developing nations are paid fair market value for their goods, thus helping them 
to achieve economic stability and self-sufficiency. Sounds reasonable, doesn’t it? People should be paid well for the work they do and receive a living wage.
However, since the inception of the Industrial Revolution–especially in recent decades when “outsourcing” has become a lucrative way for large companies to make more money–peoples of the Third World have experienced anything but “fair trade.” One well-known example are the major banana growers. They have, in the past, been notorious for exploiting their workers, turning them into near slaves.
Then there are the world’s sweatshops. In those factories conditions are typically unsafe and unsanitary, and workers are paid barely enough to put food on their family’s table. That is, if they’re old enough to have a family. Many of the workers are mere children, their childhood and health eradicated by greedy overseas (a-hem, American) manufacturers who refuse to pay adults a living wage.
When you buy something labeled “fair trade,” however, you can be sure that the people who made/grew the product were adults who received a decent wage from it. The product is also very likely to be of higher quality than related goods that were not produced under humane conditions.
Why should I buy fair trade goods?
Taking all that into consideration, I can think of three compelling reasons to buy fair trade items:
- helps support families who would otherwise remain in deplorable working and living conditions;
- forces large companies to treat their laborers better, and to adhere to child labor laws; and
- ensures you are getting a well-made (or sustainably-grown) product.
Where do I find these goods?
I recently discovered Earth brand bananas at Whole Foods. These bananas are grown using sustainable methods by farmers at Earth University in Costa Rica, whose mission is to train the natives in sustainable agriculture. They are the best bananas I’ve ever eaten, and they cost less than the organic ones!
Organic food manufacturers provide sustainably and ethically produced items as well. For example, in my pantry I have a bottle of Frontier Vanilla Flavor , which is certified fair trade. You can find coffee that has been grown by small farmers who are paid much better than their plantation co-horts.
With a little bit of digging, you can find several online sources for high-quality, handmade toys that come from artisans in developing countries. Craftsbury Kids is one of those sources. Gifts With Humanity provides a variety of fair trade products, from clothing to home decor to instruments.
From now on, when you’re out shopping, I hope you take into consideration where your prospective buy has come from.
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