Archive for the 'Fair Trade' Category
As many of you may know, October is Fair Trade Month. With another October fast approaching, we wanted to share a few ways that you can help promote Fair Trade in your community. Of course, we strongly encourage you to buy Fair Trade tea, but Fair Trade matters across a wide variety of products, including coffee, chocolate, vanilla, sugar, honey, fruit, rice and wine. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Learn more about Fair Trade and how it makes a difference.
- Vote with your dollar - buy Fair Trade Certified goods wherever possible.
- Ask retailers in your community to carry Fair Trade Certified products.
- Introduce new audiences to Fair Trade Certified products - at home, at work, in school, on campus, at your place of worship, etc.
- Give Fair Trade Certified products as gifts.
- Get involved in Fair Trade - host a party, volunteer, donate, etc.
Knowing that Fair Trade helps improve the standard of living for millions across the globe makes Fair Trade Month an easy holiday to celebrate!
September 28 2008 | Fair Trade | No Comments »
Traditionally, the Fair Trade system operates by rewarding certified producers with a premium that is collected in addition to the wholesale cost of their products. These premiums are then reinvested into the producer’s communities for their social and/or environmental betterment. However, beginning in February of this year, FLO International will (for the first time ever) introduce minimum prices for certain Fair Trade Certified teas.
A Diverse Tea Marketplace
Tea is one of Fair Trade’s most diverse products, with grades and types of tea ranging from the fine-grade mass-market teas that are used in tea-bags to high quality specialty leaf and organic teas (such as those featured by www.ArborTeas.com). Market prices for tea vary tremendously, not just according to grade and type, but also depending on what production methods are used and the geographical origin of the tea.
A Challenging Environment for the Tea Producer
FLO’s decision to introduce minimum prices reflects concerns over downward trends in global market prices for tea over the past five years. Faced with global oversupply of tea, producers in many regions are now selling much of their product at below the cost of production. FLO anticipates that the new pricing system for tea will help tea farmers around the world to meet their costs of production, and to support the sustainable development of their business, even if market prices fall still further.
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January 17 2008 | Fair Trade | No Comments »
According to a recent article in Sri Lanka’s English-language newpaper, The Sunday Times, that country’s Fair Trade Certified tea producers have continued to receive growing demand for their products, particularly in Western Europe. We are very proud to carry an exceptional example of that country’s organic and Fair Trade Certified tea production - our Greenwood Estate Ceylon Black Tea.
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January 17 2008 | Fair Trade | No Comments »
Worldwide, millions of growers and workers have dedicated themselves to the production of tea. However, because most tea is grown and manufactured in developing countries (which often lack fair wages and suitable working conditions), a growing number of ethically-minded consumers shop for teas produced under various ethical production/labeling programs.
Within the tea industry, there seem to be two distinct perspectives on the subject of ethically-produced tea. These are represented by the two most visible labeling programs in the marketplace — TransFair USA’s Fair Trade Certified® program and the Ethical Tea Partnership.
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November 14 2007 | Fair Trade | 1 Comment »
