DOCSLIB.ORG

FWP's Statement on Fair Trade USA's Resignation from Fairtrade

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
FWP's Statement on Fair Trade USA's Resignation from Fairtrade Contributing Writer the global coff ee supply. Despite the current high prices in the coff ee market, fair trade coops are Ryan Zinn still unable to sell the majority of their coff ee un- der fair trade terms. Expanding fair trade certifi ca- tion and market access to large-scale plantations will assure that fair trade cooperatives continue to FWP’s Statement on Fair remain vulnerable to volatile international mar- kets and undermine 25 years of fair trade devel- Trade USA’s Resignation from opment. FTUSA’s decision has drawn the widespread con- demnation of fair trade producer networks, in- Fairtrade International (FLO) cluding the Network of Asian Producers (NAP), Latin American and Caribbean Network of Small Fair Trade Producers (CLAC) and Fairtrade Africa. air trade is a social movement and market The Problems with Plantations It is inconceivable that an organization whose or- model that aims to empower small-scale At its core, “Fair Trade For All” is FTUSA’s unilateral ganizational values include striving “to always act Ffarmers and their communities in under- decision to initiate certifi cation of Fair Trade cof- ethically and value relationships built on honesty, developed countries to create an alternative fee on plantation operations. FTUSA intends to mutual respect and trust” would advance a pro- trading system that supports equitable trading, open cocoa to plantation certifi cation as well. Fair gram without the knowledge or consent of the sustainable development and long-term trading trade was established on the values of supporting very producers it aims to support. relationships. Fair trade supports fair prices and small-scale, disenfranchised farming communi- wages for producers, safe working conditions, ties, most often organized in democratic coopera- Fairwashing Multi-Ingredient Products investment in community development projects, tives. Despite claims to the contrary, hundreds of Based upon initial drafts of FTUSA’s multiple in- and the elimination of child labor, workplace dis- thousands of small coff ee and cocoa producers gredient product policies, on October 19th FWP crimination and exploitation. organized in cooperatives and certifi ed fair trade declared that it would not recognize FTUSA as a still lack access to fair trade markets. To continue reputable certifi er as of January 1st 2012 unless Certifi ed fair trade products now represent a to make progress and expand the benefi ts of fair key provisions in the policy were corrected. In par- multi-billion dollar industry with over 10,000 trade, these producers must be given priority and ticular, FWP objected to the lowering of the fair products in the marketplace. Consumer demand support when considering further expansion of trade content threshold to 25% for a product to for fair trade products has steadily risen over the the fair trade system. Without strict standards bear FTUSA’s “whole product” seal and 10% for its course of the last decade thanks to the tireless and implementation, the expansion of fair trade “ingredients” seal, and the allowance for multiple work of dedicated advocates, fully committed to include plantations in coff ee and other sectors ingredient products to receive the FTUSA seals by companies, and students. will most certainly erode standards and dilute fair sourcing the minimum 10% or 25% fair trade (FT) trade’s impact. content, even if FT forms of remaining ingredients On September 15th, Fairtrade International (FLO) in a product were commercially available. Over and Fair Trade USA (FTUSA) jointly announced While it is true that farmer and worker advocates 2,000 FT advocates sent letters to FTUSA object- that FTUSA was resigning its membership in FLO, are deeply concerned with the plight of farmwork- ing to this draft policy. eff ective December 31, 2011. FTUSA’s resignation ers and other hired laborers in the Global South, it from the FLO system is partially due to its new is not conclusive that the current fair trade system FTUSA released its revised draft Multiple Ingredi- initiative,“Fair Trade For All,” which it claims will is the best antidote for their situation. Fair trade’s ents Product Policy on January 18, 2012. FWP is “double the impact” of fair trade by 2015. record as it relates to hired labor or plantation op- pleased to see that FTUSA has incorporated feed- erations, like tea and bananas has been anything back from various stakeholder groups on impor- FTUSA will also be phasing out its but successful. In fact, the literature suggests that longtime black and white “bucket boy” seal, replacing it with a new seal, Expanding fair trade certifi cation and market allowing FTUSA to compete with FLO globally. access to large-scale plantations will assure In an open letter, Rob Cameron, former CEO of Fairtrade International, wrote: “I, the staff at that fair trade cooperatives continue to remain Fairtrade International, and the entire global Fairtrade network sincerely regret FTUSA’s deci- vulnerable to volatile international markets and sion to pursue its own approach, rather than con- tinue working within the global system. It is a de- undermine 25 years of fair trade development. cision they have taken themselves, and we have to respect their choice.” fair trade’s benefi ts miss the mark on plantations, tant issues, especially with respect to raising the Fair Trade USA’s move raises many questions for undermining the presence of farmworker unions whole product seal threshold to “100%” (actually fair trade producers in the Global South. Many pro- and ceding decision-making power to plantation 95% with allowance for non FT minor ingredients ducers rely heavily on the US market for sales and owners and managers when allocating the fair similar to the organic program) and ingredients distribution. FTUSA’s exit from the FLO system has trade premium. seal to 20%, and reinstating the commercial avail- caused confusion in the near-term as FTUSA’s has ability requirement to source FT forms of ingre- not fi nalized its own standards or details regarding Small producers and democratic cooperatives dients in products even if the minimum 20% FT its new labeling scheme, but initial versions mark- are core to the founding principles of the fair content threshold is reached. The commercial edly weaken key fair trade provisions and criteria. trade movement and market. By defi nition, small availability requirement in particular is a crucial In the long run, if fi nal rules remain low-bar, FTUSA producers are vulnerable, excluded and under market driver to expand markets for fair trade may well undermine consumer trust in the fair resourced in the global market. In the coff ee sec- producers. However, there are a number of criti- trade market and the overall positive impact for tor, small farmers produce approximately 70% of producers. cal areas for improvement, including clarifying Continued on Page 11 www.fairworldproject.org 10 Continued from Page 10 front package labeling for composite products, rized the misleading and deceptive labeling and market is overrun with hundreds of social, ethical, tightening compliance timelines for traders from advertising of Avon’s “Mark” brand products as green, and sustainable claims, labels and certi- two to one year and creating mechanisms to “Fair Trade Certifi ed” when, in fact, the products fi ers, many with questionable ethics and stan- dards. For consumers to maintain confi dence in FTUSA and its certifi cation program, FTUSA must The commericial availability actively and in good faith be accountable to pro- ducers and civil society at large. requirement in particular is a crucial FWP calls upon Fair Trade USA to do the following: market driver to expand markets for 1. Suspend plans for certifying plantations in coff ee and cocoa. fair trade producers. 2. Engage civil society in good faith in the development of its new standards and es- tablish clear mechanisms for accountable stakeholder review. publish to ensure transparency. Pending the fi nal so labeled contain a minimal amount of fair trade 3. Open its Board of Directors to participa- outcome of Fair Trade USA’s draft policy for mul- certifi ed ingredients. Over 8,000 people have tion from members of producer networks. tiple ingredient products, Fair World Project will signed letters in support of OCA’s complaint. OCA reconsider recognizing FTUSA as a valid fair trade is awaiting the pending decision from the FTC. 4. Commit to full transparency and trace- certifi er. FTUSA has repeatedly failed to apply a key FLO ability. rule, commercial availability standard 2.2., which 5. Create an ethical labeling scheme that FLO/FTUSA in Context states that “Food composite ingredients must does not allow a fair trade seal to appear FTUSA’s move away from FLO comes on the heels contain as many [FLO Fair Trade] certifi ed ingre- on the front of packaging unless a major- of the organization’s controversial name change. dients as available.” Dozens of products in the ity of the product is fair trade; and clearly In fall of 2010, FTUSA changed their name from US marketplace have failed to source fair trade identifi es fair trade ingredients on the TransFair USA to Fair Trade USA, eliciting a signifi - ingredients, yet continue to display the FTUSA front of packaging and whether the prod- cant uproar from within the fair trade community, fair trade seal. This dilution of the standards un- uct contains coff ee or cocoa from planta- with over 10,000 concerned consumers, advo- dermines consumer confi dence in fair trade and tions . cates, and organizations sending letters to FTUSA denies producers the full benefi t of a fair trade 6. Actively cooperate with FLO, IMO and expressing their concern about what many saw as market. other reputable certifi ers to establish a an eff ort to monopolize the fair trade market and “high bar” standard for fair trade cer- movement in the United States.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Fair Trade USA® Works of Many Leading the with Brands And
    • FAIR TRADE USA • Fair Trade USA® CAPITAL CAMPAIGN FINAL REPORT 1 It started with a dream. What Visionary entrepreneur and philanthropist Bob Stiller and his wife Christine gave us a if our fair trade model could It Started spectacular kick-off with their $10 million reach and empower even more matching leadership gift. This singular people? What if we could impact gift inspired many more philanthropists with a and foundations to invest in the dream, not just smallholder farmers giving us the chance to innovate and and members of farming expand. Soon, we were certifying apparel Dream and home goods, seafood, and a wider cooperatives but also workers range of fresh produce, including fruits on large commercial farms and and vegetables grown on US farms – something that had never been done in the in factories? How about the history of fair trade. fishers? And what about farmers • FAIR TRADE USA • In short, the visionary generosity of our and workers in the US? How community fueled an evolution of our could we expand our movement, model of change that is now ensuring safer working conditions, better wages, and implement a more inclusive more sustainable livelihoods for farmers, philosophy and accelerate the workers and their families, all while protecting the environment. journey toward our vision of Fair In December 2018, after five years and Trade for All? hundreds of gifts, we hit our Capital • FAIR TRADE USA • That was the beginning of the Fair Trade Campaign goal of raising $25 million! USA® Capital Campaign. • FAIR TRADE USA • This report celebrates that accomplishment, The silent phase of the Capital Campaign honors those who made it happen, and started in 2013 when our board, leadership shares the profound impact that this team and close allies began discussing “change capital” has had for so many strategies for dramatically expanding families and communities around the world.
    [Show full text]
  • Going Fair Trade
    January lO, 2011 By Hand Mr. David Vladeck, Director Bureau of Consumer Protection Federal Trade Commission 600 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W. Washington, D.C. 20580 ~: Request for Investigation of Deceptive Practices in Advertising and Labeling _ as "Fair Trade Certified" of Certain Personal Care Products Dear Mr. Vladeck: Pursuant to the Commission's Rules, 16 c.P.R. §2.2, the Organic Consumers Association ("OCA") and All One God Faith, Inc. d/b/a Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps ("Dr. Bronner's"), respectfully request the Commission to institute an investigation of the blatantly deceptive labeling as "Pair Trade Certified" of certain personal care products, in violation of section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act. The deceptive practices at issue are those of (1) The Hain Celestial Group, Inc. ("Hain"), makers of the "Queen Helene" brand of body cleansers and lotions; (2), Avon Products, Inc., makers of the "Mark" brand of cosmetics and personal care; and (3) TransFair USA, the certifYing organization that has authorized the misleading and deceptive labeling and advertising of "Queen Helene" and "Mark" brand products as- "Fair Trade Certified" when in fact the products so labeled contain a minor amount of fair trade certified ingredients. I. Fair Trade Labeling and Advertising The tenn "fair trade" is used to denote ingredients and products, particularly agricultural products, that have been purchased from cooperatives, collectives or other groups of farmers in developing countries, who have been paid a guaranteed minimum price plus a fair trade "premium" for community development projects; who treat their farm workers in accordance with recognized standards for achieving safe and healthful working conditions; and who commit to using environmentally sustainable farming methods, among other things.
    [Show full text]
  • 1 Doherty, B, Davies, IA (2012), Where Now for Fair Trade, Business History
    Doherty, B, Davies, I.A. (2012), Where now for fair trade, Business History, (Forthcoming) Abstract This paper critically examines the discourse surrounding fair trade mainstreaming, and discusses the potential avenues for the future of the social movement. The authors have a unique insight into the fair trade market having a combined experience of over 30 years in practice and 15 as fair trade scholars. The paper highlights a number of benefits of mainstreaming, not least the continued growth of the global fair trade market (tipped to top $7 billion in 2012). However the paper also highlights the negative consequences of mainstreaming on the long term viability of fair trade as a credible ethical standard. Keywords: Fair trade, Mainstreaming, Fairtrade Organisations, supermarket retailers, Multinational Corporations, Co-optation, Dilution, Fair-washing. Introduction Fair trade is a social movement based on an ideology of encouraging community development in some of the most deprived areas of the world1. It coined phrases such as “working themselves out of poverty” and “trade not aid” as the mantras on which growth and public acceptance were built.2 As it matured it formalised definitions of fair trade and set up independent governance and monitoring organisations to oversee fair trade supply-chain agreements and the licensing of participants. The growth of fair trade has gone hand-in-hand with a growth in mainstream corporate involvement, with many in the movement perceiving engagement with the market mechanism as the most effective way of delivering societal change.3 However, despite some 1 limited discussion of the potential impacts of this commercial engagement4 there has been no systematic investigation of the form, structures and impacts of commercial engagement in fair trade, and what this means for the future of the social movement.
    [Show full text]
  • Fair Trade 1 Fair Trade
    Fair trade 1 Fair trade For other uses, see Fair trade (disambiguation). Part of the Politics series on Progressivism Ideas • Idea of Progress • Scientific progress • Social progress • Economic development • Technological change • Linear history History • Enlightenment • Industrial revolution • Modernity • Politics portal • v • t [1] • e Fair trade is an organized social movement that aims to help producers in developing countries to make better trading conditions and promote sustainability. It advocates the payment of a higher price to exporters as well as higher social and environmental standards. It focuses in particular on exports from developing countries to developed countries, most notably handicrafts, coffee, cocoa, sugar, tea, bananas, honey, cotton, wine,[2] fresh fruit, chocolate, flowers, and gold.[3] Fair Trade is a trading partnership, based on dialogue, transparency and respect that seek 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.[4] There are several recognized Fairtrade certifiers, including Fairtrade International (formerly called FLO/Fairtrade Labelling Organizations International), IMO and Eco-Social. Additionally, Fair Trade USA, formerly a licensing
    [Show full text]
  • Fair Trade in a Wal-Mart World: What Does Globalization Portend for the Triple Bottom Line?
    Chicago-Kent Journal of International and Comparative Law Volume 14 Issue 2 Article 1 1-1-2014 Fair Trade in a Wal-Mart World: What Does Globalization Portend for the Triple Bottom Line? Linda L. Barkacs Craig B. Barkacs Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarship.kentlaw.iit.edu/ckjicl Part of the Law Commons Recommended Citation Linda L. Barkacs & Craig B. Barkacs, Fair Trade in a Wal-Mart World: What Does Globalization Portend for the Triple Bottom Line?, 14 Chi.-Kent J. Int'l & Comp. Law 1 (2014). Available at: https://scholarship.kentlaw.iit.edu/ckjicl/vol14/iss2/1 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by Scholarly Commons @ IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law. It has been accepted for inclusion in Chicago-Kent Journal of International and Comparative Law by an authorized editor of Scholarly Commons @ IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law. For more information, please contact [email protected], [email protected]. Article Fair Trade in a Wal-Mart World: What Does Globalization Portend for the Triple Bottom Line? Linda L. Barkacs* & Craig B. Barkacs** Abstract Globalization is characterized by such business practices as aggressive outsourcing, ultra-efficient logistics, and the relentless pursuit of cheap labor. Conversely, “fair trade” is an economic and social movement that works through private enforcement mechanisms to ensure that transnational supply chains do not exploit human and social rights.1 Accordingly, fair trade practices are very much in accord with the well-known “triple bottom line” goals of looking out for people, planet, and profits.
    [Show full text]
  • Fair Trade: Social Regulation in Global Food Markets
    Journal of Rural Studies 28 (2012) 276e287 Contents lists available at SciVerse ScienceDirect Journal of Rural Studies journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/jrurstud Fair Trade: Social regulation in global food markets Laura T. Raynolds* Center for Fair & Alternative Trade, Sociology Department, Clark Building, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, United States abstract Keywords: This article analyzes the theoretical and empirical parameters of social regulation in contemporary global Regulation food markets, focusing on the rapidly expanding Fair Trade initiative. Fair Trade seeks to transform Globalization North/South relations by fostering ethical consumption, producer empowerment, and certified Fair Trade commodity sales. This initiative joins an array of labor and environmental standard and certification Certification systems which are often conceptualized as “private regulations” since they depend on the voluntary participation of firms. I argue that these new institutional arrangements are better understood as “social regulations” since they operate beyond the traditional bounds of private and public (corporate and state) domains and are animated by individual and collective actors. In the case of Fair Trade, I illuminate how relational and civic values are embedded in economic practices and institutions and how new quality assessments are promoted as much by social movement groups and loosely aligned consumers and producers as they are by market forces. This initiative’s recent commercial success has deepened price competition and buyer control and eroded its traditional peasant base, yet it has simultaneously created new openings for progressive politics. The study reveals the complex and contested nature of social regulation in the global food market as movement efforts move beyond critique to institution building.
    [Show full text]
  • Trade Standard Version 2.0.0
    Trade Standard Version 2.0.0 Fair Trade USA Published: May 22, 2019 Effective: January 1, 2020 Contents Version 2.0.0 This document is available free of charge in electronic format on the Fair Trade USA Standards webpage: https://www.FairTradeCertified.org/business/standards. All rights reserved © 2019 Fair Trade USA No part of this publication may be copied, reproduced, distributed, published, or transmitted without full attribution to Fair Trade USA. Note on Translations Translation accuracy of any Fair Trade USA standard or policy document into languages other than English is not guaranteed nor implied. For any question related to the accuracy of the information contained in the translation, refer to the official English version. Any discrepancies or differences created in the translation are not binding and have no effect for auditing or certification purposes. Contact Fair Trade USA 1901 Harrison Street, Floor 17 Oakland, CA 94612 USA Phone: (510) 663-5260 Fax: (510) 663-5264 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.FairTradeCertified.org Trade Standard May 2019 Page 2 of 71 Contents Version 2.0.0 Contents INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................................................................... 5 Fair Trade USA’s Mission and Vision ................................................................................................................................................................ 5 About this Document ........................................................................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Sustainable Sourcing : Markets for Certified Chinese
    SUSTAINABLE SOURCING: MARKETS FOR CERTIFIED CHINESE MEDICINAL AND AROMATIC PLANTS In collaboration with SUSTAINABLE SOURCING: MARKETS FOR CERTIFIED CHINESE MEDICINAL AND AROMATIC PLANTS SUSTAINABLE SOURCING: MARKETS FOR CERTIFIED CHINESE MEDICINAL AND AROMATIC PLANTS Abstract for trade information services ID=43163 2016 SITC-292.4 SUS International Trade Centre (ITC) Sustainable Sourcing: Markets for Certified Chinese Medicinal and Aromatic Plants. Geneva: ITC, 2016. xvi, 141 pages (Technical paper) Doc. No. SC-2016-5.E This study on the market potential of sustainably wild-collected botanical ingredients originating from the People’s Republic of China with fair and organic certifications provides an overview of current export trade in both wild-collected and cultivated botanical, algal and fungal ingredients from China, market segments such as the fair trade and organic sectors, and the market trends for certified ingredients. It also investigates which international standards would be the most appropriate and applicable to the special case of China in consideration of its biodiversity conservation efforts in traditional wild collection communities and regions, and includes bibliographical references (pp. 139–140). Descriptors: Medicinal Plants, Spices, Certification, Organic Products, Fair Trade, China, Market Research English For further information on this technical paper, contact Mr. Alexander Kasterine ([email protected]) The International Trade Centre (ITC) is the joint agency of the World Trade Organization and the United Nations. ITC, Palais des Nations, 1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland (www.intracen.org) Suggested citation: International Trade Centre (2016). Sustainable Sourcing: Markets for Certified Chinese Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, International Trade Centre, Geneva, Switzerland. This publication has been produced with the financial assistance of the European Union.
    [Show full text]
  • 2016-08-19 Friday Hard News Call INFORMATION
    2016-08-19 Friday Hard News Call INFORMATION REGARDING CALLS PRESENTED AND/OR SUPPORTED BY 2013 RAINBOW ROUND TABLE I TO ACCESS THE THREE WEEKLY CALLS via the Internet A BBS RADIO Go To www.bbsradio.com; click on Talk Radio Station #2; click on “64K Listen” Thursday: 9 pm – 12:00 pm EST Stargate Round Table Host: Marietta Robert Friday: 9 pm – 2 am EST Friday Night Hard News Hosts: T & R Saturday: 4:30 pm – 2 am EST History of our Galactic World & NESARA Hosts: T & R Friday, Saturday: From 10 – 11 pm EST, for one hour, the call moves to the Conference Call Line [PIN below] and then returns to BBS Radio. • During the radio show, use the following phone numbers to ask questions or make comments 530 – 227-7602 [line 1] 530 – 413-4522 [line 2] 530 – 530-413-5011 [line 3 & 4] • BBS Toll Free # in Canada, US 1 – 888-429-5471 This number picks up whichever line is available. B Conference Call: 1-860-970-0300 Thursday PIN # 87 87 87# Friday PIN # 23 23 23 # Saturday PIN # 13 72 9# C Skype: BBSradio2 D Archives for the 3 Programs listed above: • To access the FREE BBS archives for any of these programs: • Go to BBSRadio.com/ Station 2; scroll down; click on Live Talk Radio Shows • Scroll down to Hard News on Friday with Tara and Rama, and click on “Library Archives” • When that screen comes up, click on ARCHIVES; when that screen comes up, check on the date you want. It opens in a new tab: you'll see the “free to listen box”; click the bars to play; use the tab to stop and start the tape.
    [Show full text]
  • F a I R T R a D E U
    FAIR TRADE USA FAIR AL AL REPORT CELEBRATING 20 YEARS CELEBRATING 2018 ANNU 1998-2018 I AIR TRADE USA F I 1 DEAR FRIENDS, More than twenty years ago, an idealistic, young do-gooder (that would be me) brought an idea from Nicaragua to a one room office in Oakland, California. What started with coffee and conviction has grown into a global movement. Fair Trade USA is now the leading certifier of Fair Trade products in North America. There wouldn’t have been a one room Everyone did their part to make Fair office without the Ford Foundation Trade work, grow, and thrive. Fair Trade betting on us with our first grant. That USA simply wouldn’t have survived grant enabled conviction to become over 20 years or reached over 1 million confidence. families around the world without the everyday heroes who joined us to For Fair Trade USA to become challenge the status quo and re-imagine sustainable we needed more than capitalism. grant dollars. Early partners like Equal AL REPORT Exchange and Green Mountain Coffee We established Fair Trade USA as a signed on to the “crazy” notion of different kind of organization—a mission- buying Fair Trade Certified™ coffee and driven nonprofit that generates earned putting our seal on their products. These revenue and is financially sustainable. 2018 ANNU partnerships primed us to become a One that helps mainstream companies viable organization generating impact for combine sustainability and profitability. farmers worldwide. One that serves farmers, workers, I companies, consumers, and the earth, Our model would have collapsed without based on mutual benefit and shared those first consumers willing to buy Fair value.
    [Show full text]
  • MAFTTI Newsletter No. 12
    Subscribe Share Past Issues Translate Mankato First Fair Trade Town in Minnesota View this email in your Issue No.12, December 9, 2015 browser Stay Connected Visit MAFTTI.org Donate through MAFTTI's website We are pleased to know of your continuing interest in Fair Trade. We hope it will continue well into 2016 and beyond. This is a good opportunity to let you know that MAFTTI recently received final official notification of 501 (c) 3 non-profit status from the IRS and that, therefore, contributions in support of MAFTTI’s work are tax-deductible. Thanks in advance for any financial support you can offer before the end of the year. TEN THOUSAND VILLAGES – what’s in a name? Ten Thousand Villages is present in 40 states of the union, through nearly 80 stores carrying its own name and a similar number of ‘Alliance’ outlets (like The Fair Emporium in St.Peter). The name of the chain is only 20 years old, but the initiative that led to its growth dates back nearly 70 years to the vision of Kansas-born Mennonite Edna Ruth Byler (1904-76). During a visit to Puerto Rico in 1946 she was greatly moved by the poverty she encountered there as well as the quality of the lace work done by local women. By all accounts Edna Byler returned with a mission – to provide sustainable economic opportunities for artisans in developing countries by creating a viable marketplace for their products in North America. She began a grassroots campaign among her family and friends in Central Pennsylvania and elsewhere in the country by selling lace and other handcrafted products, initially from Puerto Rico, out of the trunk of her car.
    [Show full text]
  • Socially Conscious Consumer Trends
    International Markets Bureau MARKET ANALYSIS REPORT | APRIL 2012 Socially Conscious Consumer Trends Fair Trade Source: Fairtrade Canada. Source: Fairtrade Canada. Socially Conscious Consumer Trends Fair Trade EXECUTIVE SUMMARY INSIDE THIS ISSUE Grocery shoppers base their buying decisions on their personal Executive Summary 2 perceptions of value. Value considers the balance between quality and price, and how a product fits into a consumer’s culture, lifestyle and Socially Conscious Consumers 3 social consciousness. Global public opinion surveys have identified the growing influence of personal values in purchase behaviour. The most Introduction to Fair Trade 4 common, relative to the food and beverage industry, include animal welfare, Fair Trade, provenance, vegetarianism, sustainable sourcing Public Opinion 5 and manufacturing, and packaging. The series “Socially Conscious Consumer Trends,” of which this report is a part, examines each of Country Profiles 7 these issues within the global food market to assist Canadian food and Domestic Perspective 10 beverage producers and processors in positioning their products within, and as alternatives to, these influences. Growing Pains 11 Fair Trade is described as a social movement representing alternatives In The Marketplace 13 to conventional trade models that operate within a framework of international development, social justice, environmental sustainability Conclusions 16 and equitable economic returns. In 2010, global retail sales increased 27% over 2009 to reach US$5.8 billion (Fairtrade International, 2011) A Fair Trade Glossary 16 and involved over 900 producer organizations in more than 63 countries to benefit over one million farmers and workers (Fairtrade References 18 International, 2011). With a history stretching back nearly 75 years, the principles of Fair Trade are now influencing trade negotiations, corporate social responsibility (CSR) policies, new product development, and retail channels.
    [Show full text]