Why Fair Trade?
Fair trade is a movement built on a simple belief: that the people who grow our food and craft our goods deserve fair pay, safe conditions, and a real path to self-sufficiency. At Crossroads, fair trade isn't just a label — it's the reason we exist. We connect our community with artisans and farmers worldwide who are working to build better lives, one purchase at a time.
Hear it straight from the source — listen to Charline, one of our founders, share why fair trade has been at the heart of Crossroads since 1988.
Fair Trade Federation
Crossroads is a verified enterprise of the Fair Trade Federation and a proud member for over 38 years. We work to uphold similar fair trade goals as stated by the federation and hope you consider these important values as you shop year-round.
Bring Fair Trade to Your Group
Our volunteer education committee loves bringing fair trade to life for groups of all kinds — from scouts and 4H programs to home school groups, youth organizations, and beyond. Whether you visit us in-store or we come to you, we'll tailor the experience to your group. Ready to get started?
Top Ten Reasons to
Shop Fair Trade
01
Fair Trade means fair pay for vulnerable farmers and producers.
By choosing Fair Trade, consumers support safe and healthy working conditions for farmers and artisans and create just economic opportunities for marginalized producers.
03
Fair Trade protects children.
Local managers uphold children's rights to security, education, and play. Businesses respect and support local laws and social norms, and disclose the involvement of children in production.
Fair Trade is safe.
05
Fair Trade activity promotes integrated farm management systems that improve soil fertility and preserve valuable ecosystems and limit the use of harmful agrochemicals that present dangers to farmer's health. That means food that's safer for you and the farmers who grow it!
02
Fair Trade encourages environmental sustainability.
By using eco-friendly farming practices or raw materials found in nature or recycled, Fair Trade supports sustainable practices that minimize our environmental footprint.
04
Fair Trade empowers marginalized workers.
Farmers & artisans gain access to low-cost, advanced capital, as well as opportunities for building their technical and business skills
06
Fair Trade supports communities.
By working through cooperative structures, Fair Trade artisans and small farmers are able to invest Fair Trade earnings in their communities, improving housing, healthcare and schools.
07
Fair Trade is trade farmers and artisans can count on.
Fair Trade is committed to strengthening direct, long-term partnerships between buyers and producers. These partnerships provide an avenue for buyers to purchase quality products from people they trust and offer a sustainable and reliable way for farmers, artisans, and their families to improve their livelihoods.
08
Fair Trade connects you with other cultures.
Fair Trade products are unique to the places they come from and the people who make them. Farmers and artisans are involved in the entire process, and Fair Trade products reflect the people and cultures they come from.
09
Fair Trade means sustainable local economies.
Fair Trade gives farmers and artisans control of their own future They can build their own businesses, rather than work for a middleman, and the profits stay in their communities and go back into their businesses.
10
Fair Trade means you buy what matters.
By choosing Fair Trade, you are not only accessing high quality products; you are making a difference in the lives of the people who grow and craft the products.