food that’s fair

When I used to grocery shop I had one goal in mind, to get in and out as quickly as possible. I would zip from aisle to aisle tossing random items into my cart and then finish my trip by gambling with the grocery lines, trying to determine which was the shortest. As it would be, I always ended up behind the man who fought with the cashier about sale prices, or the lady who couldn’t find her wallet. However, my grocery trip goals have recently changed. With the increase in food prices I realized that I needed to pay better attention to what I buy at the grocery store. I could no longer afford to have a bunch of food in my pantry going to waste, so I began to plan out what to buy and start reading labels. As soon as I slowed my pace down at the store to a swift glide I was able to notice all the different types of products. Not only were there almonds, but also, there were organic almonds, raw almonds, and an especially new label to me, fair trade almonds. When I looked at this foreign sticker, I began to analyze it. I know what it means to be fair and I know what it means to trade, but I didn’t know much about our world trade practices. I shouldn’t have been surprised that I knew little about our trade practices considering the fact that I never really thought about how my food got to my table other that the fact that I drove it from the store to my kitchen (sad I know!) This little sticker intrigued me so I began researching and this I what I found:
In today's world economy, where profits rule and small-scale producers are left out of the bargaining process, farmers, craft producers, and other workers are often left without resources or hope for their future. Fair Trade principles help exploited producers escape from this cycle and gives them a way to maintain their traditional lifestyles with dignity. Here are some of the benefits of fair trade:

• Fair trade increases annual incomes of small farmers
• Fair trade helps put in place tools for self-sufficiency
• Fair trade assists small farmers to stay out of high interest debt
• Fair Trade helps build infrastructure in farmers community
• Fair trade lets consumers have a clear conscience about their purchases
• Fair trade lets consumers assist and empower others with their buying power
• Fair trade lets consumers be part of a social justice movement
• Fair trade allows consumers to initiate a chain of responses that will positively impact the lives of farmers and their families.
• Small farmers use organic methods, which are more environmentally friendly and sustainable
• Small farmers disperse their plants throughout a region, a sustainable method
• Small farmers plant shade grown coffee which is key to protecting certain species of birds
• The existence of small farmers helps prevent the clear-cutting of larger estates

Clearly this one little sticker has one big message. Life’s not fair to many of the people who provide our food, so it is up to us, as the consumer to speak with our wallets and support companies who are fair trade certified. Now, with my self-education on all of the different meanings of certain labels (fair trade, organic, gluten free, vegan, etc.) I have a quick reference on my packaging, and I can once again zip through the aisles, however this time I’ll be making smart and socially conscious purchases as well.

audrey - sales