Fair Trade USA
A non-profit organization

Fair Trade is a global movement to alleviate poverty in ways that are economically, socially and environmentally sustainable. By offering farmers and farm workers competitive prices, improved terms of trade and social premiums for community investment, Fair Trade truly does make every purchase matter because industry and consumers alike know the high-quality products they buy are improving lives and protecting the environment

Fair Trade is much more than a fair price! Fair Trade principles include:

• Fair price and credit: 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 Fair Trade revenues.
• Community development: Fair Trade farmers and farm workers invest Fair Trade premiums in social and business development projects like scholarship programs, quality improvement and social empowerment trainings, and organic certification.
• Environmental sustainability: Harmful agrochemicals and GMOs are strictly prohibited in favor of environmentally sustainable farming methods that protect farmers’ health and preserve valuable ecosystems for future generations.
  

Fair Trade USA is the leading independent, third-party certifier of Fair Trade products in the United States. Fair Trade USA audits and certifies transactions between U.S. companies that offer Fair Trade products and their international suppliers to guarantee compliance with Fair Trade principles. And as a development agency, Fair Trade USA educates consumers, builds supply chain for Fair Trade, brings new manufacturers and retailers into the system, and provides farming communities with tools, training and resources to thrive as international businesspeople. Fair Trade Certification is currently available in the U.S. for coffee, tea, herbs and spices, vanilla, cocoa and chocolate, produce, sugar, honey, rice, grains, wine, flowers, apparel and linens, sports balls, and body products.

For more information, go to www.FairTradeUSA.org/