| We are all becoming increasingly familiar | | | | school which benefits the local community. |
| with the Fair Trade logo as we go around our | | | | Health care can be obtained and housing |
| stores and supermarkets. Fair Trade started | | | | conditions improved. Some farmers had |
| as a small campaign and has become a major | | | | previously been receiving prices that did not |
| contributor to the food and drinks industry. | | | | meet the production cost. |
| The idea behind Fair Trade coffee, tea, | | | | |
| chocolate and bananas etc. is to give the | | | | As consumers, we have been indifferent to |
| producer in the country of origin a fair | | | | where our coffee comes from for too long. |
| price for their crop. | | | | Coffee and other products has shocked us out |
| | | | of our apathy at last, and the growing number |
| To be certified for Fair Trade, the importer | | | | of people buying F.T. shows that people care |
| must follow the regulations. This means | | | | about the exploitation of the farmers. This |
| meeting a minimum price and ensuring | | | | affects growers in Latin America, Asia, |
| conditions for the small time farmer to be | | | | Africa and the Caribbean. A lot of coffee |
| able to operate fairly. Fair Trade involves | | | | farmers in these regions band together to |
| growing organically, and some farmers may | | | | form coffee cooperatives. These organizations |
| need help to switch to this system. | | | | give them buying power and the ability to |
| | | | support each other. |
| Of course, an organic method is cheaper as it | | | | |
| does not involve the use of pesticides or | | | | The USA drinks a staggering one fifth of the |
| chemical fertilizers. The fortunate by | | | | world's coffee production, so it's heartening |
| product of this is the benefit to the | | | | that more than a hundred companies have |
| environment. The coffee farmer, for example, | | | | registered to be F.T. coffee suppliers. This |
| will probably work a small piece of land and | | | | includes the mighty Starbucks. Other |
| mix his crops. He won't operate like a big | | | | organizations to come on board include Green |
| concern who come in and clear forest to run a | | | | Mountain, Peet's and Tully's. |
| large scale operation. | | | | |
| | | | The largest coffee seller in the US, Procter |
| The advent of the movement has made an | | | | and Gamble got involved in F.T. coffee in |
| immense difference to the farmers and | | | | 2003, after consumers and shareholders put |
| growers. A coffee farmer selling to a Fair | | | | pressure on them. The UK also has a thriving |
| Trade importer can lift himself and his | | | | F.T. market, with F.T. coffee being supplied |
| family out of debt and poverty. Getting a | | | | by Nestle, Sara Lee and Kraft. The Oxfam |
| fair and reasonable price for his harvest | | | | charity opened some F.T. coffee shops too. |
| means being able to send his children to | | | | The future looks bright for Fair Trade. |