Are We Accountable?
Is Fair Trade accountable? Can you trust that when you buy from us, the product you recieve is Fair Trade? The short answer is yes, though the big picture is more complicated.
The items we carry come from all over the world and it would be impossible for me to track them all. That’s why certification organizations like the Fair Trade Labeling Organizations International are so important.
FLO International certifies mostly agricultural producers and workers through 20 certification organizations that joined forces in 2004 to synchronize standards and represent under a single recognizable brand.
You probably recognize this logo from quite a few Fair Trade products. If you want to view some other Fair Trade logos to look for, check out this Wikipedia entry.
We obtain products primarily through members of the Fair Trade Federation. That group requires their members to go through an application process that focuses on their Fair Trade practices. When we offer FTF member products like our colorful blouses from Minga Fair Trade Imports, we can channel that trust to you our customers.
Unfortunately, there are occasional abuses. Workers may not be paid the standard wages, or products may be labeled as Fair Trade when they are not. Some unscrupulous behavior is inevitable, but it is light years ahead of a system that generally embraces the bottom line over any other concern.
Sometimes we decide that we can’t wait for, or don’t need, certification to partner with a cooperative. We contacted Arghand Cooperative on the suggestion of a customer. Though they are not certified by any organization, we felt we had to connect you to their wonderful soaps and oils so that this foothold of stability and economic progress in Afghanistan can endure.
Trust, yet verify, someone once said. Well, we’re doing both.
Keep shopping your good values!