Fair Trade
As avid tea drinkers, and folks who make their living in the tea industry, we believe that we have a responsibility to support a higher standard of living and a sustainable future for the individuals who bring us these fantastic products. For this reason, Arbor Teas has committed itself to offering one of the widest selections of Fair Trade Certified® loose leaf teas available, and we celebrate the Fair Trade Certified® Communities from which they originate. Check out the following video to learn more about Fair Trade!
Fair Trade, the Story (2006) is an 8-minute video with killer music, gorgeous images of Fair Trade communities, and even a cameo with Stone Gossard of Pearl Jam.
Worldwide, millions of growers and workers have dedicated themselves to the production of tea. It is their knowledge, skill and artistry that we have to thank for this exquisite product. Most tea is grown and manufactured in developing countries which often lack fair wages and suitable working conditions. However, the best tea gardens and cooperatives understand that high-quality specialty teas depend on the people and the environment that produce them. Fair Trade Certification verifies and acknowledges the commitment of these producers to meeting internationally-recognized Fair Trade standards, which include:
• Wages that meet or exceed legally established minimums.
• Absence of forced or child labor.
• Freedom of association and organization.
• Safe working conditions, including protection from exposure to harmful agrochemicals.
• Adherence to national and international labor protections, including those established by the International Labor Organization of the UN and, in India, by the Plantation Labor Act.
So why aren’t all of our teas Fair Trade Certified®? Well, there are a couple of key reasons. First, the Fair Trade movement in the tea industry is still growing, and many authentic varieties remain unavailable in a Fair Trade Certified® form. However, we search constantly for new Fair Trade Certified® products meeting our standards, and will add them to our inventory as they become available. Additionally, it’s important to note that because Fair Trade focuses on the developing world, teas from Japan (where fair market and labor conditions already prevail) will not be found under the Fair Trade Certified® label. If you find a "Japanese" tea somewhere bearing the Fair Trade Certified® logo, it’s probably been grown somewhere else.
For more information on Fair Trade Certified® products visit www.TransFairUSA.org.
