Did you know that October is Fair Trade Month? Do you even know what Fair Trade means? I think the term Fair Trade is something that most people have heard of and they know it is a positive thing, but they aren't really sure exactly what it means or why it is important. Products that carry the Fair Trade Certified logo are sourced from farmers and workers who are fairly compensated. The goal is to help producers in developing countries establish better trading conditions and build sustainable businesses.
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The most common goods you may see carrying the Fair Trade Certified logo are coffee, cocoa, chocolate and tea but it goes beyond that and touches handicrafts, sugar, bananas, honey wind and even more. I know it can be a challenge to find Fair Trade Certified goods, especially in your large chain stores. As part of Fair Trade Month 2011, Fair Trade USA has launched the Fair Trade Finder app to help consumers find Fair Trade Certified products more easily.
The free Fair Trade Finder app is available on Facebook and on your iPhone or Android mobile phones. This application allows you to enter in your location to find out where you can buy Fair Trade Certified products near you. If you find a product and location that is not yet in the application, you can easily add it so that others can find it too.
Fair Trade Finder for the iPhone
I downloaded the iPhone app myself over the weekend and I am anxious to enter in more products as I spot them. I was even surprised to learn there were already some entries for my small town. It will be fun to help expand this useful database and find more places to purchase Fair Trade Certified goodies near me.
Get the Fair Trade Finer App
Facebook: www.fairtradeapp.com
iPhone: itunes.apple.com/us/app/fair-trade-finder/id467353692
Android: market.android.com/details?id=org.fairtradeusa.finder
Giveaway
In honor of Fair Trade Month 2011 and the launch of the Fair Trade Finder app, Fair Trade USA is giving away a gift bag full of Fair Trade Certified products to one lucky reader! The gift bag includes these Fair Trade Certified products: Organic Chamomile with Lavender, Seattle’s Best Coffee Organic Fair Trade level Four, Choice Organic Teas, Sen Cha Teas, and Green & Black Organic Chocolate. Approximate value: $50. Please use the Rafflecopter entry form below.
Please note that the opinions and views expressed here are my own. I am receiving a gift bag for hosting this giveaway
"funds are specifically designated for social, economic and environmental development projects."
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dinic23 (at) sbcglobal (dot) net
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ReplyDeleteI learned that millions of Americans were alerted to poverty in the coffee industry when USA Today ran an article on Fair Trade Certified coffee in 2001
ReplyDeletejackievillano at gmail dot com
I learned that together with the Fairtrade Labelling Organization International, they seek to inspire the rise of the Conscious Consumer and eliminate exploitation.
ReplyDeleteThey work to get farmers a fair price for their product- this in turn gives them a better quality of life. They believe in ethical dealings.
ReplyDeleteI learned that "Fair Trade" helps “free trade” work for the poor. "
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway!
email in blogger profile.
I learned that Fair Trade supports 1.2 million farmers and their families in 70 countries.
ReplyDeleteI learned that Fair Trade products are not genetically modified
ReplyDeleteelena150980@yahoo.com
Fair Trade USA is the leading third-party certified of Fair Trade products in the United States. chefl@swbell.net
ReplyDeleteI learned that Women hired on Fair Trade farms and plantations are guaranteed access to health care, certain job rights, and freedom from harassment
ReplyDeleteFair Trade vision statements says they believe the rise of the Conscious Consumer will cause a fundamental shift in the way companies do business and create a historic opportunity to reward companies that embrace sustainability.
ReplyDeleteemmaspeel(at)gmail.com
Sugar cane farmers are some of the most impoverished in the world as a result of fluctuating prices and difficulty accessing the U.S. market.
ReplyDeletevmkids3 at msn dot com
I learned "We aim to channel more of the opportunities and benefits of globalization to the underprivileged farming and working families who today are being left behind." I LOVE their philosophy and business practices!
ReplyDeleteFair Trade Certified is a market-based model for alleviating global poverty—an alternative to dependency on aid—where farmers are given the tools to raise themselves out of poverty.
ReplyDeletesue14625@gmail.com
I learned that American Natural Herbs & Spices offers lots of organic fair trade seasonings and that Americans consume the most vanilla in the world.
ReplyDeleteFair Trade supports 1.2 million farmers and their families in 70 countries. trinitygsd at yahoo dot ocm
ReplyDeleteI learned that Fair Trade Certified Products are not necessarily more expensive than conventional products, it just depends on what the products are (gourmet coffee is bound to be more expensive than bananas, regardless of fair trade or not).
ReplyDeleteI really like this, because I have family who live in third-world-countries and are agricultural workers who can greatly benefit from fair-trade.
hookedonafeline999 at yahoo dot com
I learned that One of the most important aspects of Fair Trade is funds are specifically designated for social, economic and environmental development projects.
ReplyDeletemerleandtina@yahoo.com
I learned that Fair Trade USA is the leading third-party certifier of Fair Trade products in the United States.
ReplyDeleterhoneygtn at yahoo dot com
I learned how many different types of fair trade products you can buy - a lot more than I thought.
ReplyDeleteI learned about asking for Fair Trade Mango's to help rebuild Haiti.
ReplyDeletebetsy_349 at hotmail dot com
I learned that with Fair Trade USA, the money you spend on day-to-day goods can improve an entire community’s day-to-day lives. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteromapup at gmail dot com
I learned that they are a member of Fairtrade Labelling Organizations International (FLO).
ReplyDeleteblue65829 at aol dot com
I learned that Fair Trade supports 1.2 million farmers and their families in 70 countries.
ReplyDeleterebecca.nvcl (at) gmail.com
I learned that "through direct, equitable trade, farming and working families are able to eat better, keep their kids in school, improve health and housing, and invest in the future"
ReplyDeletei learned Fair Trade Certified soccer balls, footballs, basketballs and rugby balls are available, stitched with a commitment to fair wages and sweatshop-free labor -- ty for the chance!!
ReplyDeleteranmel(at)televar(dot)com
Fair Trade supports 1.2 million farmers and their families in 70 countries jimandboys@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI learned that millions of Americans were alerted to poverty in the coffee industry when USA Today ran an article on Fair Trade Certified coffee in 2001
ReplyDeleteI learned that "Fair Trade USA, a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization, is the leading third-party certifier of Fair Trade products in the United States." ヅ *Thanks* for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteI learned that "Fair Trade began modestly in the 1940s when a few small North American and European organizations reached out to poverty stricken communities to help them sell their handicrafts to well-off markets."
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ReplyDeleteDrink fair trade coffee and tea at home .
ReplyDeleteI like that their website has a "what's the difference between free trade and fair trade" Q&A on their website.
ReplyDeletepolkaostrich at gmail dot com
I learned they support 1.2 million farmers and their families in 70 countries.
ReplyDeletecereza25 at yahoo dot com
we use a market-based approach that gives farmers fair prices, workers safe conditions, and entire communities resources for fair, healthy and sustainable lives.
ReplyDeleteWhat a cool app! There is a little shop downtown in my city that has worldwide fair trade goods.
ReplyDeleteI learned that in 2010, Numi was the largest brand purchaser of fair trade tea.
I learned that they seek to inspire the rise of the Conscious Consumer and eliminate exploitation.
ReplyDeletebabbbymel at yahoo dot com
I learned that Fair Trade supports 1.2 million farmers and their families in 70 countries. Thats pretty impressive!
ReplyDeletejason(at)allworldautomotive(dot)com
I learned that Protecting the environment goes hand-in-hand with protecting the future livelihoods of local communities. The Fair Trade model requires rigorous protection of local ecosystems and ensures that farmers receive a harvest price, which will allow them to practice sustainable agriculture.
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twinkle at optonline dot net
Sustainability: We engage in sustainable solutions to global problems that affect the earth and its people.
ReplyDeleteky2here at msn dot com
I learned that consumers can enliven developing countries, relieve exploitation and promote environmental sustainability by purchasing Fair Trade-labeled products.
ReplyDeletedolniaks[at]consolidated[dot]net
I learned that rather than creating dependency on aid, they use a market-based approach that empowers farmers to get a fair price for their harvest, helps workers create safe working conditions, provides a decent living wage and guarantees the right to organize.
ReplyDeletetderosa142 at gmail dot com
Environmental standards are therefore integral to the Fair Trade criteria. These include:
ReplyDeleteProtecting water resources and natural vegetation areas
Promoting agricultural diversification, erosion control, and no slash and burn
Restricting the use of pesticides and fertilizers
Banning use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs)
Requiring proper management of waste, water and energy
Thanks for the contest.
I learned this: "Question:
ReplyDeleteWhich products are Fair Trade Certified™ in the U.S.?
Answer:
Fair Trade USA certifies coffee, tea and herbs, cocoa, fresh fruit and vegetables, sugar, beans and grains, flowers, nuts, oils and butters, honey and spices, wine and apparel, and certified ingredients are now used in ready-to-drink beverages, body care products and spirits. Additionally, we’re exploring certification in gold and precious metals, seafood and diamonds."
Angie
14earth at gmail dot com
I learned that it is a non profit organization.
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They are trying to help family farmers and people in poverty.
ReplyDeletepaige1sme at aol dot com
I learned that through fair trade workers get safer working conditions.
ReplyDeletetextbookmommy at gmail dot com
i learned that october is fair trade month.
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I learned that sugar cane farmers are some of the most impoverished in the world as a result of fluctuating prices and difficulty accessing the U.S. market
ReplyDeletejessibear19(at)aol(dot)com
I learned Paul Rice opened TransFair's first "national headquarters” — a one-room office in a converted warehouse in downtown Oakland — in late 1998.
ReplyDeleteshawnac68@hotmail.com
I learned farmers and workers producing Fair Trade goods are provided with a decent wage.
ReplyDeletelanaleebradstream(at)yahoo(dot)com
I learned that Fair Trade began modestly in the 1940s
ReplyDeletejas8929(at)gmail(Dot)com
I learned that fair trade is a gobal effort
ReplyDeletestanleybilly(at)bellsouth(dot)net
I learned that Fair Trade supports 1.2 million farmers and their families in 70 countries.
ReplyDeleteI learned that there is fair trade spirits! I had only really thought about coffee being fair trade for some reason.
ReplyDeletekaytewatts AT aol DOT com
One of the most important aspects of Fair Trade is this: funds are specifically designated for social, economic and environmental development projects.
ReplyDeleteezmerelda at mail dot com
Fair Trade has worked with women at the UGPPK cooperative in Burkina Faso to help them organize into a collective and secure a fair price for their shea butter
ReplyDeletepauline15_01(at)hotmail(dot)com
I learned that Fair Trade is currently in 70 countries.
ReplyDeleteI learned that Fair Trade Movement Encourages Young Environmentalists in some countries.
ReplyDeletersgrandinetti@yahoo(DOT)com
I learned that their mission includes different values including: Fairness: We work to create opportunities and extend the benefits of globalization to all people, everywhere.
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