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Frequently asked questions about:
FAIR TRADE!

  • What is Fair Trade?

    • Fair Trade is a voluntary initiative for farmers, workers, and craftspeople to participate in a direct and equitable trade within the global market. Fair Trade is an ethical alternative to other popular trading methods that empowers workers to develop the business skills and networks needed to compete in the complex worldwide economy. With the Fair Trade model, the producing groups are guaranteed that certain practices and principles will be followed, including the payment of a fair wage, in order to create a sustainable income that will ultimately assist in alleviating poverty and benefitting the community at large.

      The concept of Fair Trade covers everything from small scale mission-driven businesses and crafts-projects that provide jobs in economically disadvantaged areas of the globe; to larger-scale farms, cooperatives, and manufacturing plants that guarantee above-average health, safety, labor, and environmental standards. Fair Trade is not charity or a hand out; it is a vital way of doing sustainable business on an equal platform.


  • What is Fair Trade Boston?

    • Fair Trade Boston is a grassroots initiative aimed at alleviating global poverty and promoting environmental sustainability by widely increasing our use of Fair Trade products throughout Greater Boston. Fair Trade Boston’s ultimate goal is help the City of Boston become an official ‘Fair Trade City’ by joining the international ‘Fair Trade Towns’ movement.

      The Fair Trade Towns movement is an exciting initiative that brings together businesses, community, faith-based organizations, and educational institutions throughout the United States to grow the Fair Trade movement. By achieving special recognition for towns, cities, and communities that promote Fair Trade, the campaign deepens consumer awareness and involvement and expands the Fair Trade market to benefit millions of marginalized farmers and artisans and their families around the world.

      In order to become a Fair Trade city, Fair Trade products must be widely used in local churches, schools, workplaces, and businesses (1 organization per 10,000 people), and the town or city council/governing body must pass a resolution supporting Fair Trade and committing to use Fair Trade products when applicable for town purchasing. Fair Trade Boston’s event on June 13th is a celebration of Fair Trade that aims to inspire and propel the ‘Fair Trade City’ initiative.


  • What are Fair Trade principles?

    • Fair Trade is about much more than just a living wage. Fair Trade principles and standards include:

      Fair Prices: Democratically organized farmer groups receive a guaranteed minimum floor price and an additional premium for certified organic products. Farmer organizations are also eligible for pre-harvest credit.

      Fair Labor Conditions: Workers on Fair Trade farms enjoy freedom of association, safe working conditions, and living wages. Forced child labor is strictly prohibited.

      Direct Trade: With Fair Trade, importers purchase from Fair Trade producer groups as directly as possible, eliminating unnecessary middlemen and empowering farmers to develop the business capacity necessary to compete in the global marketplace.

      Democratic and transparent organizations: Fair Trade farmers and farm workers decide democratically how to invest and re-invest their Fair Trade revenues.

      Community Development: Fair Trade workers invest Fair Trade premiums in social and business development projects like scholarship programs, quality improvement trainings, organic certification, health benefits and micro-credit programs. These initiatives not only benefit the workers themselves, but their families, neighbors and community at large.

      Environmental Sustainability: Harmful agrochemicals and GMOs are strictly prohibited in favor of environmentally sustainable farming methods that protect farmer’s health and preserve valuable ecosystems for future generations. Fair Trade producers receive additional premium prices for products that are certified organic.
  • Which products are Fair Trade certified in the US?

    • In the US, the following products have been certified by the leading certification entity TransFair USA:
      • • coffee
      • • tea and herbs
      • • chocolate
      • • cocoa
      • • rice
      • • sugar
      • • bananas
      • • mangos
      • • vanilla
      • • flowers
      • • wine


      The European-based Fairtrade Labelling Organization (FLO) also certifies the following products under their label:
      • • honey
      • • nuts and oilseeds
      • • juices
      • • cotton
      • •sports balls


      Many US Fair Trade companies belong to the popular Fair Trade Federation. While not a certification entity, the FTF has a strict screening policy for all members and allows them to showcase their widely-recognized membership logo as a guarantee of their adherence to the Fair Trade principle.


  • How do I know a product is Fair Trade?

    • Consumers can identify goods which meet the Fair Trade standards by looking for the International Fairtrade certification logo (administered by the Fairtrade Labelling Organization or the TransFair USA: certification logo. Both are pictured below. Products carrying this mark have been approved by a standard-setting entity as well as a certification entity.

      The system of certification involves independent auditing of producers and traders to ensure that the agreed Fair Trade standards are met. This system allows goods to be more easily recognizable by the consumer, thus helping drive demand. With the certification process, Fair Trade products have been able to breach the niche boutique market and succeed in the mainstream, reaching a larger consumer segment and boosting Fair Trade sales significantly.


  • Where can I find Fair Trade products?