Our Vision
A world in which all producers can enjoy secure, sustainable livelihoods, fulfill their potential and decide on their future.
Members of Fairtrade International
Three regional Producer Networks and 19 national Labelling Initiatives are full members in FLO’s governance. Producer Networks represent the interest of producers in the Fairtrade system and Labelling Initiatives promote Fairtrade to business and consumers in the countries of sale. There are also two associate members.
Scope
Fairtrade products come from small farmer organizations or companies with hired labour (only for certain products) in countries with low to medium development status in Africa, Asia, Oceania, Latin America and the Caribbean.
Fairtrade products are marketed by national Labelling Initiatives or marketing organizations working in 25 countries. They are sold in over 70 countries worldwide.
Certification system
A product with the FAIRTRADE Mark means independent certification against the Fairtrade standards at each step of the supply chain: FLO-CERT certifies all Fairtrade producer organizations; FLO-CERT or the national Labelling Initiatives certify the trading companies. FLO-CERT was the first ISO 65 accredited certification body for an ethical label. ISO 65 is the leading internationally accepted norm for certification bodies operating a product certification system.
Fairtrade’s Global Strategy
Broadening – We will dramatically increase the number of people benefiting: enable producer groups to scale up their business and membership; bring in more producers, more products and more countries.
Deepening – We will increase gains for Fairtrade producers: offer improved financial benefits, stronger support for business development, increase Fairtrade sales and facilitate access to technical support.
Strengthening – We will operate as effectively as possible at every level: harmonize our approach worldwide, strengthen our teams, simplify our operations and transfer responsibilities to local managers.
Funding - FLO and its members are funded through a combination of license fees and dedicated funding partners.
By the Numbers
- 827 Fairtrade farmer and worker organizations (end 2009)
- 1.2 million Individual farmers and workers (2009)
- 6 Million People benefit from Fairtrade (producers and family members)
- €3.4 billion Estimated global Fairtrade retail sales 2009
- 15% Annual growth of Fairtrade sales 2008-2009
- €50 million Estimated Fairtrade Premium paid for community development in 2009
- 50% Consumers familiar with Fairtrade Mark (in 15 countries)
- 91% Percentage of above consumers who trust the Mark
"We are taking a bold and ambitious approach to strengthen, broaden and deepen our impact and improve our effectiveness in the struggle against poverty.” - Rob Cameron, CEO Fairtrade International
49-228-949-230 / info@fairtrade.net(link sends e-mail) / www.fairtrade.net
Fair Trade and Environmental Sustainability*
Fast Facts
- Over 12 million people have experienced poverty as a result of climate change
- Due to climate change, the amount of suitable land for growing coffee on a global scale could be cut in 1⁄2 by 2050
- Organic farming has been shown to sequester 7,000 pounds of carbon dioxide per acre per year
- Approximately 30% of Fair Trade producer organizations invested a portion of their community premiums in environmental initiatives
- 52% of all Fair Trade producer organizations hold organic certificates
Fair Trade & Environmental Sustainability
By paying farmers and producers fair prices, Fair Trade provides security in an ever-changing environment. This increased financial security, combined with standards and incentives for environmental stewardship, makes Fair Trade the best choice for the planet and its inhabitants.
If a producer wants to become Fair Trade Certified, they must meet a variety of environmental standards which focus on:
- Biodiversity and Greenhouse Gas Emissions
- Agrochemicals -- limited and safe usage
- Soil and Water Management
- Genetically Modified Organisms -- GMOs are prohibited
- Pest & Waste Management
Many producers invest their premiums into achieving organic certification, resulting in over half of all Fair Trade Certified products being organic. With two certifications, farmers are able to receive double the economic gains.
Climate Change
From coffee to cocoa to bananas, farmers’ yields around the world are increasingly impacted by drought and disease as a result of the changing climate.
With Fair Trade premiums for community investment, farmers can spend more time and money on things like environmental education, training, quality testing and equipment efficiency. These premiums help producers adapt to the changing climate while ensuring the sustainability of their lands for future generations.
Soil and Water
Fair Trade standards for soil and water preservation include:
- Limiting water use overall
- Sourcing water sustainability
- Employing sustainable irrigation practices which preserve soil nutrients
- Maintaining soil quality through the use of animal and green manure, agro-forestry and crop rotation
Pesticides, Waste and GMOs
Fair Trade standards for pests and waste ensure farmers and producers are:
- Controlling pests in a sustainable, environmentally sound manner
- Educated on the use of certain approved pesticides
- Exploring alternatives to chemical pest control
- Developing safe disposal plans for hazardous waste
- Not using any genetically modified seeds or plants
"We have planted trees and reduced the amount of pesticides we use by 80 percent in the last ten years. We’ve used the Fairtrade premium to buy environmentally friendly ovens to dry our coffee [...] which means we no longer need to cut up to 50 acres of forest every year." -Gerardo Arias Camacho, Coffee Farmer and Member of the Llano Bonito (COOCAFE) Cooperative in Costa Rica
More Information
For more info on how Fair Trade helps farmers adapt to climate change, check out this video on Fair Trade coffee farmers in Peru.
* Taken from Anna Juchau at Fair Trade Campaigns
Fair Trade Your Holidays!
In Helena
- Coffee at Firetower
- Certain chocolate bars (Ex. Chocolove, Theo Chocolates), certain coffees/teas, baskets at the General Merc
- Clothing and crafts at Aizada Imports
- Ben and Jerry’s ice cream, Wholesome Sweeteners agave nectar, certain chocolate bars (Chocolove and Endangered Species), and certain coffees at Vans
- Equal Exchange products, Alter Eco products, Endangered Species chocolate, Numi tea at the Real Food Market
- Certain coffees at Starbucks
- Green Mountain coffee, Starbucks coffee, and certain Kirkland products at Costco
- Alaffia products, certain coffees, teas, chocolates, woven baskets, and purses at Natural Grocers
- Grassroots Uganda- linda_koelzer@yahoo.com
- Saksaum- anniet28@gmail.com
- Heirloom Rice – heirloomrice@hotmail.com
- Chocolate Alegria- rachel.erin9@gmail.com
- Mercy Market- lovelandk@gmail.com
- The Shanti Boutique/Feathered Pipe Foundation-crystal@shantiboutique.com
Online
Where You Can Buy Fair Trade Products
Look for the fair trade logo on these products on campus and in town:
On Campus
- Certain coffee, tea, and sugar in the STAC, Simperman Hall, and Holy Grounds
- Ben and Jerry’s ice cream, Chocolove bars, Endangered Species chocolate, and Natural Nectar cookies in Wholly Habaneros
- Saints Blend Coffee, Mailable Arts, Tumbleroot Tea, and Bead for Life jewelry in the Saints Shoppe
In Town
- Coffee at Firetower
- Certain chocolate bars (Ex. Chocolove, Theo Chocolates), certain coffees/teas, baskets at the General Merc
- Clothing and crafts at Aizada Imports
- Ben and Jerry’s ice cream, Wholesome Sweeteners agave nectar, certain chocolate bars (Chocolove and Endangered Species), and certain coffees at Vans
- Equal Exchange products, Alter Eco products, Endangered Species chocolate, Numi tea at the Real Food Market
- Certain coffees at Starbucks
- Green Mountain coffee, Starbucks coffee, and certain Kirkland products at Costco
- Alaffia products, certain coffees, teas, chocolates, woven baskets, and purses at Natural Grocers
- Grassroots Uganda- linda_koelzer@yahoo.com
- Saksaum- anniet28@gmail.com
- Heirloom Rice – heirloomrice@hotmail.com
- Chocolate Alegria- rachel.erin9@gmail.com
- Mercy Market- lovelandk@gmail.com
- The Shanti Boutique/Feathered Pipe Foundation-crystal@shantiboutique.com
Is your favorite product or store not on here? Ask them to sell Fair Trade! Or know of a product or store we forgot? Let us know! Contact Sophia at srodrigues@carroll.edu
