FAIR TRADE: A trading partnership, based on dialogue, transparency and respect, that seeks greater equity in international trade.

It contributes to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions to, and securing the rights of, marginalized producers and workers – especially in the South.

Fair Trade Organizations, backed by consumers, are engaged actively in supporting producers, awareness raising and in campaigning for changes in the rules and practice of conventional international trade. [F.I.N.E]

IE. Fair trade allows for us, the consumer, to purchase a product that treats those who produce it a fair wage as they work in safe conditions.
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WHAT IS FAIR TRADE & WHY SHOULD I CARE?

October is Fair Trade month.  The Love Alliance Action Project for this month is to educate ourselves and others about fair trade.  This is a concise explanation of what fair trade is and why you should care about it.

There is a “fair trade” movement that calls for products that are made by non-exploited workers. This fair trade movement promotes the payment of a fair price as well as maintaining social and environmental standards.  Buying fair trade ensures we are not buying an item that has been produced by an individual like a small Honduran child in unsafe conditions for pennies a week. (We at The Love Alliance have committed to only carrying fair trade items in our webstore.)

To fully understand what fair trade is and why stores offering fair trade items is so important, you have to also understand the modern day slavery crisis.  Today over 27 million people worldwide are living as slaves. This is more than double the number of slaves deported in the 400-year transatlantic slave trade to the Americas. Many individuals forced into slave labor are producing products we use on a daily basis, such as chocolate, coffee and clothing. 

There are fair trade alternatives for all of the above-mentioned items.  When we buy fair trade items we are doing two things.  We are firstly placing less of a demand for products that are produced through forced labor.  We are secondly aiding in fighting world poverty. As individuals are paid sufficiently for their work they are then able to provide appropriately for their families.  When we participate in a hard days work we expect to be paid adequately.  Buying fair trade allows for people around the world to receive the same fair treatment we expect for ourselves. 

We have all seen the pictures on T.V. of the skin and bones children in Guatemala or Africa.  We have all felt overwhelmed by these images with the feeling that there was nothing we can do.  But that simply is not the case.  We live in a supply and demand society.  We all buy items every day, clothing, food etc.  Each time we purchase something in the store we are either positively or negatively effecting this situation.  Our purchases either demand products from workers that are enslaved, abused or paid a wage that is impossible to live off of or our purchases demand products from workers that are treated well and paid a fair wage that is comparable to the hard work they provide.  As we choose to buy fair trade alternatives when available and as we ask our stores to carry fair trade alternatives we are essentially ensuring that children like those in the pictures on T.V. will have a brighter future, as their families will be better equip to provide for them.  

Let’s join together and make a difference as a group and buy/request fair trade alternatives and educate those around us on the importance of fair trade.
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WHAT CAN I DO?

1. Start buying fair trade items and requesting them wherever they are not available.
Currently there are Fair Trade alternatives to these items:

Cocoa (Chocolate), Coffee, Sugar, Tea, Herbs & Spices, Grains, Wine & Spirits, Soy Beans, Cotton, Clothes, Jewelry, Olives/Olive Oil, Nuts, Honey, Fresh Flowers & Plants, Fruits & Vegetables, Sports Balls

2. Begin having conversations with those around you about fair trade and its  importance.

3. Post this link on your Facebook, Myspace or Twitter (#fairtrade) with catchy slogans like:
   
    October is Fair Trade Month.  Learn more here: http://bit.ly/3wnWN
    I don’t take slavery in my coffee. http://bit.ly/3wnWN
    I take my chocolate slave-free. http://bit.ly/3wnWN

4. Read more about this month's project by going to the Action section of our website or click here.

5. Read more about fair trade or where you can buy fair trade alternatives: 
     - www.transfairusa.org
     - www.tenthousandvillages.com
     - www.globalexchange.org
     - www.sweatfree.org
     - www.coopamerica.org
     - www.sweatshopwatch.org
     - www.maketradefair.com
     - www.fairtrademonth.org

6. Read more about modern day slavery and world poverty by clicking here.  

7. Buy “Remember the Poor” and “Remember the Enslaved” products in our webstore and tell people about Fair Trade when asked.  You can also buy “Remember the Poor” and “Remember the Enslaved” flyer cards in our webstore to hand out.