Fair Trade
In this country, "fair trade" has been commonly found only on coffee labels, but this is changing. This change will allow consumers to show their support and compassion for workers around the world who produce some of our favorite food staples. The rapidly growing Fair Trade Movement, and organic and sustainable farming methods, are poised to improve not only the quality of our food, but how its production affects our own local regions as well as the rest of world.
Some people confuse the terms “fair trade” with “free trade”. Fair trade is actually a movement designed to repair some of the damage caused by free trade’s shortcomings. Free trade is implemented and governed by a nation’s membership in the World Trade Organization. It is meant to remove artificial barriers to "fair" trade between nations such as tariffs, government subsidies, and import restrictions. Free access to each other’s markets is then supposed to be economically advantageous to all participating member nations and their people. However, it can be argued that the poorest countries and their workers still suffer some distinct disadvantages when interacting with the wealthier industrialized countries. Commodity market prices keep many of these workers at the lowest levels of poverty. Perhaps someday standards in free trade treaties will address these concerns, but until then, the Fair Trade Movement is attempting to ensure a good quality of life for these farm workers.
The Fair Trade Movement got its start largely due to the devastating effects of a worldwide coffee glut, and sought to bring fairness back to the peasant farmers growing the coffee. By being paid a rate higher than the commodity market rates for their crops, fair trade farmers can better provide for their families, keep their children in school, own land, organize, and build a viable future. This happens for several reasons: middlemen are removed, there is a transparent and sensible profit structure, and farmers are aided in converting to more profitable and sustainable organic farming. Every time you brew a pot of fresh coffee from Lakewinds, you’re helping make a better world for these farmers (and ourselves), because all the coffee we carry is certified fair trade. But fair trade coffee is just the beginning….
Recently, fair trade teas and cocoa products have joined coffee on the shelves and they’re a delicious way to show your concern. We’re proud to offer fair trade Choice Organic , Equal Exchange, and Two Hills teas as well as Guayaki brand Yerba Mate. The teas come in several wonderful and exotic blends, and one or more is bound to be perfect for your next teatime!
In the world of chocolate, we carry Equal Exchange hot cocoa mix, Rapunzel chocolate bars (as well as their fair trade unrefined sugar), and Dagoba in both chocolate bars and cocoa. Also, Green and Black’s and Tropical Source chocolate bars are made from fair trade cocoa. They’re all delicious and make a special treat for your family you can be proud of for more than just the flavor!
The next wave in fair trade is fresh produce, starting with fruits and nuts. The history of Central and Latin American farm workers trying to organize for better wages over the last century is not a pleasant story, so this will be a large improvement in the lives of these farmers. We currently have bananas, and you should start to see some other fruits trickle into Lakewinds this summer.
More Info:
For a lot more info on the importance of fair trade and the products available: TransFair USA