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Fair Trade at TCC

Fair Trade is an alternative approach to conventional international trade. It is a trading partnership which aims at sustainable development for excluded and disadvantaged producers.  Fair Trade offers better trading conditions to marginalized producers and workers.

Fair Trade coffees, teas, and chocolate bars are available in our Past & Presents Shop

 click here for directions

Fair Trade FAQ

from Fair Trade Resource Network

What does "fair" really mean?
The word "fair" can mean a lot of different things to different people. In alternative trade organizations, "Fair Trade" means that trading partnerships are based on reciprocal benefits and mutual respect; that prices paid to producers reflect the work they do; that workers have the right to organize; that national health, safety, and wage laws are enforced; and that products are environmentally sustainable and conserve natural resources.

What is a fair wage?
A worker earning a fair wage receives at least the minimum wage, or preferably, a living wage. The latter enables the worker to cover basic needs, including food, shelter, education and health care for one's family. Paying fair wages does not necessarily mean that products cost the consumer more. Since Fair Trade organizations bypass exploitative middlepeople and work directly with producers, they are able to cut costs and return a greater percentage of the retail price to the producers.

Do Fair Trade goods cost more than comparable non-Fair Trade goods?
Generally, fairly traded crafts don't cost more than other goods because the large percentage taken by middle people is removed from the equation. The cost remains the same as traditionally traded goods; however, the distribution of the cost of the product is different. In some cases, like coffee, the producers receive a significant price more per pound, and the price is higher than grocery store coffee, but comparable to speciality coffees.

Because Fair Trade sales are still low compared to other sectors in northern markets, is Fair Trade's impact significant?
For a Peruvian weaving cooperative making only a few hundred dollars a year, a $1,000 craft sale to a Fair Trade organization is a significant increase in income. In some parts of the world, Fair Trade earnings are turned over to the community to improve quality of life. The money may fund a potable water system or provide health education or bring an adult literacy program to the community.

How much money do the producers make?
Given the different regions of the world, production circumstances, and Fair Trade intermediaries involved in delivering a product to the consumer, it is difficult to say with certainty. An informal survey of Fair Traders seems to indicate a retail ratio of 1:6. What is certain is that Fair Traders are obliged not to exploit producers and to guarantee that the trading relationship is a true partnership, allowing all to make a fair profit margins.   

Key principles of Fair Trade

(from IFAT)

  • Creating opportunities for economically disadvantaged producers.
    Fair Trade is a strategy for poverty alleviation and sustainable development. Its purpose is to create opportunities for producers who have been economically disadvantaged or marginalized by the conventional trading system.
  • Transparency and accountability. Fair Trade involves transparent management and commercial relations to deal fairly and respectfully with trading partners.
  • Capacity building. Fair Trade is a means to develop producers' independence. Fair Trade relationships provide continuity, during which producers and their marketing organizations can improve their management skills and their access to new markets.
  • Payment of a fair price. A fair price in the regional or local context is one that has been agreed through dialogue and participation. It covers not only the costs of production but enables production which is socially just and environmentally sound. It provides fair pay to the producers and takes into account the principle of equal pay for equal work by women and men. Fair Traders ensure prompt payment to their partners and, whenever possible, help producers with access to pre-harvest or pre-production financing.
  • Gender Equity. Fair Trade means that women's work is properly valued and rewarded. Women are always paid for their contribution to the production process and are empowered in their organizations.
  • Working conditions. Fair Trade means a safe and healthy working environment for producers. The participation of children (if any) does not adversely affect their well-being, security, educational requirements and need for play and conforms to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child as well as the law and norms in the local context.
  • The environment. Fair Trade actively encourages better environmental practices and the application of responsible methods of production.