WHAT IS FAIR TRADE
Fair trade is a business approach used to create greater equity in the international trading system. Fair trade supports farmers and craftspeople in developing countries who are socially and economically marginalized. These people lack economic opportunity and often face steep hurdles in finding markets and customers for their goods.
Listen to Charline, one of the Crossroads founders, talk about fair trade and why it matters!
FAIR TRADE FEDERATION
Crossroads is a member of the national Fair Trade Federation. We strive to uphold similar fair trade goals as stated by the federation, who strives to alleviate poverty around the globe by promoting North American fair trade organizations.
For more information on the Fair Trade Federation, visit them at http://www.fairtradefederation.org/about-us/
TOP 10 REASONS
TO SHOP FAIR TRADE
1 - Fair trade means fair pay and working conditions 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.
3 - 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.
2 - 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.
4 - 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
5 - Fair trade is safe.
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!
6 - 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.
7 - 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.
8 - 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.
9 - 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.