Fair Trade, The Basics

What is Fair Trade?

Comedian John Oliver phrased it rather bluntly and succinctly, "it's about not screwing people." For those of you who prefer a more informative definition, there is one at hand: "Fair Trade is a trading partnership based on dialogue, transparency and respect that seeks greater equity in trade. It contributes to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions to, and securing the rights of, marginalized producers and workers. Fair Trade Organizations (backed by consumers) are engaged actively in supporting producers, awareness raising and in campaigning fo changes in the rules and practice of conventioanl international trade."

Still curious? Still confused? It's okay. It can get complicated. But the underlying issue remains the same, fair trade means to provide sustainable wages to the laborers who provide us with our products. Fair trade is the just way of doing business. One day, it'll be the only way of doing business. Until that time, promote as much as you can.

Visit Fair Trade the White House for more information on Fair Trade.

Domestic Fair Trade Association

While some products can't be grown in Northern America, some are, which is why Domestic Fair Trade Association is helping local U.S. farmers live sustainably as well. Adopting international fair trade standards, DFTA focuses on small, family-run farmers to help provide "Heath, Justice and Sustainability."

Read about DFTA's fair trade values and find a list of committed members, like Fair Trade the White House supporter, Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps!

Domestic Fair Trade Association is also a proud member of Fair Trade the White House. Learn more about DFTA on their website and see how you can get involved and support fair trade on international and local levels. You can also follow their blog!

Zhena's Gypsy Tea

If you are a lover of all things tea, Zhena’s Gypsy Tea is the place for you. All certified organic and all certified Fair Trade, there’s a healthy and flavorful choice in green, black, white, chai, herbal, rare, loose leaf, or sachet teas. Zhena also has a selection of “Pink” teas especially for women’s health, infused with anti-oxidants, vitamins and minerals.

Zhena’s Teas are also certified Biodynamic, guaranteeing these criteria:


* Highest paradigm of sustainable farming.

* Self- sustaining ecosystem free from any external and unnatural additions.

* Heals the environment for future generations.

* One of the smallest carbon footprints of any agricultural method.

* Oldest non-chemical agricultural movement in the West, predating the organic farming movement by 20 years



So, if you’re in the market for an amazing cup of tea or tea accessories, get into “the original spirit of tea” from Zhena’s.



Zhena’s Gypsy Tea is a Fair Trade the White House gift bag participant.

Jones GABA

Enjoy mental focus and clarity? How about reducing the carbon footprint and supporting fair trade? A tasty beverage? Well Jones GABA is "Keeping It Real" by encompassing energy management, waste reduction, recycling and Fair Trade Certified practices inside and outside its office.

Jones GABA drinks come in 4 tasty flavors: Fuji-Apple, Lemon Honey, Grapefruit & Nectarine. Enjoy the delicious taste of fair-trade certified tea, honey, cane sugar and fruit juices—all while putting you “in the zone” to perform at your peak.

Want to test your Jones GABA IQ? Take the quiz and get a coupon!

Order On-line or Shop Locally!

Jones GABA is a proud supporter of Fair Trade the White House and uses certified ingredients by Trans Fair USA.

Another Mention for Respect Fair Trade Sports Balls

Check out the world's first fairly made, fairly traded sports balls write up at Got2BeGreen! Respect Fair Trade Sports balls are vegan, sweat-free and union made.

Discover more resources at Got2BeGreen.com.

Both Respect Fair Trade Sports and Got2BeGreen are proud supporters of Fair Trade the White House. Join them in the "Fair Party" and sign the invitation to First Lady to Fair Trade her Home.

Don't forget to check out their free shipping offer under Savings at FTWH!

It's Only Natural Gifts

Organic gifts are a naturally delicious and luxurious way to express your sentiments, for any occasion: Organic Thank You gift baskets, Eco-friendly Housewarming gifts, Organic Sympathy gifts, Natural and Organic Baby gifts, Birthday gifts, fairly traded gifts and more.

Choose from pre-designed gift sets or create a customized organic gift to fit any budget.

Organic Gifts is a member of Green America, offers products certified by Trans Fair USA and is a proud supporter of Fair Trade the White House.

Check out their giving tips and all their Organic, Fair Trade & Natural selections. You'll love what you see - it's only natural!

Albert's Organics Bananas

Want the quick 411 on fair trade bananas?
Albert's Organics has it for you!

Albert's Organics sells Fair Trade Certified produce with Trans Fair USA's label. They are also a proud supporter of Fair Trade the White House and will include FTC fruit to the White House Outreach.

D.C. Fair Trade Town Meetings

Get Involved in D.C.

Help Fair Trade the White House Supporter, D.C. Fair Trade Network in their monthly meetings to become an official Fair Trade Town, USA!

Meeting dates:

• Wednesday, 22 July
• Wednesday, 19 August
• Wednesday, 26 August
• Wednesday, 9 September
• Wednesday, 16 September

** Note: there are two dates in each month so as to allow more people the opportunity to join. While people are welcome to attend all meetings, it is not required.

Meeting venue: Teaism Penn Quarter, 400 8th St. NW. Go downstairs and look for red Meetup sign. If anyone needs directions, they are welcome to call me at: 203-915-0765.

RSVP to join the DC Fair Trade Network and attend the meeting at Meetup!

Inca Kids

Inca Kids works directly with incredibly talented artisans in Peru, guaranteeing them fair wages, a sustainable workplace, equal opportunities for men and women and community building initiatives that foster awareness of the fair trade movement. All of their artisan toys, home décor, apparel and accessories are made from natural materials, unique and beautiful.

Shop these Peruvian pieces of art and simultaneously sustain a family.

Inca Kids is a self-funded project member of the Fair Trade Federation and supporter of Fair Trade the White House

Tropical Salvage

Tropical Salvage furniture is made from tropical hardwoods which are salvage on several different islands of the Indonesian archipelago. None of the wood comes from standing trees. Tropical Salvage selects quality hardwoods that are both durable and exceptionally beautiful. The wood is old: some a few decades old, some a thousand years old. It beautifully expresses its history as wild-growth grain figure, mineral accumulation, and the effects of nails, seasoning cracks & bore holes are evident in many pieces. They are a wonderful testament to the wood's historical richness and new life.

Follow their Blog
Find A Location
Catalog

Fair Trade Federation Member
Green America Member
Fair Trade the White House Supporter

MissMalaprop.com

Fair Trade the White House received further exposure on MissMalaprop's blog! MissMalaprop.com was created in August 2006 as a place to:

• showcase unique and independently made products and small businesses
• document personal missions to live a more environmentally sustainable and socially responsible lifestyle
• talk about what’s really going on in New Orleans and the Mississippi Gulf Coast and showcase NOLA and Gulf South based artists and businesses

Read her write up in the Links to Love post! Or go to Media Mentions at FTWH Party Headquarters!

Thanks, MissMalaprop!



Find her on Facebook and Twitter

Greenheart

What Color's Your Heart?

Greenheart Shop is Chicago’s only nonprofit eco friendly, fair trade store. Greenheart is fair to producers and good to the earth through its support of local, social enterprises and global fair trade partnerships. They carry a variety of goods including recycled accessories and handbags, home goods, gourmet treats, cookbooks, glassware, jewelry, toys, personal care, organic cotton t-shirts and more.


Greenheart believes consumers have the power to affect positive World change by supporting sustainable and fair business practices in their purchasing choices.


Greenheart is a proud member of the Fair Trade Federation and Green America, they carry Fair Trade Certified products through Trans Fair USA and support Fair Trade the White House by contributing among the list of Retailers.

Shop & Blog


Shop Green. Shop Fair.

Got2BeGreen & Eco World Decor

Eco World Décor made Got2B Green's site (you can read their write up here)! What do they both have in common? Well, a couple of things! Not only are they both environmentally and socially aware, they both are supporters of Fair Trade the White House, inviting First Lady Michelle Obama to Fair Trade her Home.



Eco World Décor sells unique and beautifully made hand woven baskets made from a group of artisans in the Philippines. Got2BeGreen is your one stop place to learn about all things green and eco-friendly. And they have linked arms with other passionate artisans, vendors, distributors, organizations and individuals to promote fair trade in America.



You can find Eco World Décor listed among our Distributors and Got2BeGreen is one of our esteemed Media Sponsors.

Fair Trade Washington D.C.

What do Media, PA, Brattleboro, VT, Milwaukee, WI, Amherst, MA, Taos, NM, Northampton, MA, San Francisco, CA, Montclair, NJ, Ballston Spa, NY, Chico, CA, and Bluffton, OH all have in common?...

...They are all Fair Trade Towns, USA!

And, proudly riding on their coattails is Washington D.C., confident that they, too, will soon have enough supporters, vendors, retailers and patrons of fair trade goods in their community.

Meet up

Join their cause on Facebook

and spread the word to help get D.C. declared an official Fair Trade Town!

DC Fair Trade is a proud supporter of Fair Trade the White House.

Find out more about how to become a Fair Trade Town.

Show Yourself!

Take a look and see who's signing the invitation asking First Lady Michelle Obama to Fair Trade the White House! The home page now displays changing images of passionate people committed to increasing fair trade awareness in America.



Haven't signed? Go to Fair Trade the White House and read in greater detail about how you can join the "Fair Party" by learning more about fair trade and then sign your name with the 360 already there (as of July 14th)!

Alter Eco

Alter Eco is committed to the following:

• Playing an active part to wed product quality and a sustainable approach centered on people and our planet.

• Promoting Fair Trade and increasing awareness about fair trade amongst consumers in the northern hemisphere.

• Transparency and traceability.

"We are a team of fair trade visionaries and food-loving explorers on a mission to connect you to our farmers and their honest foods. When you taste the sweet justice of our mission you will understand our persistence, and our invitation to join us in finding you Alter Eco."

Decadent chocolate, nutritious quinoa, tasty teas...check out their website for a whole lot more and take your time to learn more about fair trade and the relationships Alter Eco has forged through their responsible trading methods. You can also write a personal message to the farmers!

Alter Eco proudly offers products certified by Trans Fair USA, is a member of the Fair Trade Federation and Green America and supports Fair Trade the White House.

Sign up for their Newsletter and shop for goods!

Guayaki

With a passion for mate, Guayakí partners with small farmers and indigenous communities to source mate from the sub-tropical forests of South America. From the simple love of a beverage, Guayakí drinkers have become a driving force for conservation and community development by paying a fair trade price for rainforest-grown mate.



Never sipped on a cup of yerba mate? Both its taste and nutritional value will keep you coming back for more! Learn all about its benefits at Guayaki. They don't call it "drink of the gods" for nothing!



Guayaki is certified "Fair For Life" (IMO) and by Trans Fair USA. They are members of the Fair Trade Federation and are proud supporters of Fair Trade the White House.

Click here to see how you can get your discount!