Background
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HISTORY OF FAIR TRADE
Fair trade coffee is part of a larger Fair Trade movement that dates back to the late 1940's when US churches began selling handicrafts made by refugees in Europe after World War II.
In comparison to conventional trading structures, Alternative Trade Organizations (ATO) offered higher returns to producers in the developing world through direct trade and fair prices.
Since then, "alternative trade," or Fair Trade organizations—like Equal Exchange, SERRV International, and Ten Thousand Villages—have sought to address structural inequities in the global economy and promote grassroots development through direct, equitable trade. Many ATOs are members of the Fair Trade Federation, an association of fair trade wholesalers, retailers, and producers whose members are committed to providing fair wages and employment opportunities to economically-disadvantaged artisans and farmers worldwide.
Fair Trade certification of commodities began in the Netherlands in 1988 in response to plummeting prices in the world coffee market. The TransFair seal was later launched in Germany. Today 19 countries have their own labeling initiatives, operating with shared criteria under the Fairtrade Labeling Organization umbrella.
Fair Trade Certified™ coffee, bananas, tea, chocolate, honey, sugar, orange juice, and flowers are available in stores throughout Europe. Fair Trade handicrafts are sold in thousands of Fair Trade shops in Europe, the US, Canada, and Japan. Many US organizations that deal exclusively in Fair Trade crafts or coffee are grouped together under the Fair Trade Federation.
