About Fair Trade

Fair Trade is a movement dedicated to promoting fair and sustainable trading between consumers in the West and disadvantaged artisans and farmers worldwide. Fair Trade originally started in Europe during the 1940’s with missionaries and travelers returning from overseas with local arts and crafts to sell for the villagers. This grassroots movement developed into what was known as ‘alternative trade”, a process of helping often remote villagers across Africa, Asia, Latin America have a steady income through the sale of their traditional art. Since then, a viable alternative trade model has formed involving educators, consumers, producers and farmers all around the world committed to making global trade environmentally sustainable and socially just.

There is no one definition of Fair Trade, however all those involved would agree with the following principles:

* A guaranteed living wage. This is defined as a wage that meets the basic needs of the family like food, shelter and clothing.

* Support of the producer’s community. This can take many forms depending on the needs of the community. Some groups decide they need to learn computer skills, some need help with accounting methods: others work collectively to invest in schools and health care services.

* Equal employment opportunities. Fair Trade aims at empowering the most disadvantaged in society. 70% of Fair Trade producers are women, with many being the victims of displacement by civil war, domestic violence or are carriers of HIV/Aids.

* Safe and healthy working conditions. Many have heard the term “sweatshop labor”, women working 10 plus hours a day with no breaks, are paid no overtime and often work in unsafe conditions. All individuals working with Fair Trade groups are paid a decent wage, work in well ventilated and lit rooms and most importantly, have a voice in what conditions they work in. Some producers work from home so they can decide how and when they work.

* Transparency among organizations. Open books build trust and legitimacy which is vital for many artisans who live with corruption.

Many artisans belong to cooperatives where they have a say in how business is run and share in the profits. This is democracy at work!

Today Fair Trade advocates work with over a million producers across 50 countries. As is stated in the 2005 Fair Trade Trends Report:

“Now, more than ever, with Fair Trade becoming a market and commercial phenomenon to be reckoned with by all players, we need facts and figures. In no uncertain terms the North American and Pacific Rim market is growing very significantly: Total Sales in 2003 were $291.75 million, a 52% increase over 2002; and a continuing if not accelerating trend in 2004 with Total Est. Sales of $376.42 million. Fair Trade products: tea, coffee, jewelry, bananas, homewares, clothing, gifts can be found in stores, church bazaars, school events, colleges, craft shows, online and in supermarkets. Fair Trade is growing by the day!

Charleston Fair Trade offers hope, dignity and a better future for disadvantaged artisans around the world.

Why support Fair Trade?

Many artisans and farmers in developing countries struggle to meet even the most basic needs of the family, for example food and access to safe drinking water.

Each Fair Trade purchase ensures that producers earn a fair wage that enables them to take care of their family. Many form cooperatives to invest in their community improving local schools and building health care centers.

Fair Trade truly makes a difference... Thank you for your support!

How you can help…

* Buy Fair Trade products with Muenda.com

* Tell your friends about Fair Trade.

* Organize a Fair Trade Event (contact Susie for more information)

Muenda is a Fair Trade company that has been operating in Charleston for nearly 5 years now, come and visit us at the City Market or shop online: www.muenda.com