fair-trade foundation

what is fair-trade?  
Fairtrade is a simple way to make a difference to the lives of the people who grow the things we love. They do this by changing the way trade works through better prices, decent working conditions and a fair deal for farmers and workers in developing countries. 

Fairtrade sets standards: Fairtrade Standards social, economic and environmental standards that are set for both companies and the farmers and workers who grow the food we love. For farmers and workers the standards include protection of workers’ rights and the environment, for companies they include the payment of the Fairtrade Minimum Price and an additional Fairtrade Premium to invest in business or community projects of the community’s choice.

Fairtrade works with companies’ own schemes: Shopper demand has driven companies to start thinking about sustainability. When considering whether to partner in some way with a business-own sustainability scheme, Fairtrade compares the way the scheme works to a set of core Fairtrade principles. This is to ensure we only work with schemes that share our values. These principles are at the heart of Fairtrade’s mission and activities, and include ensuring that producers are paid a fair price, working to support strong, flourishing producer organisations and enabling democratic decision-making by farmers and workers on their business and community development.