Green Side Out - The green lifestyle

With the growing eco-friendly attitude (especially in the U.K and the U.S) finding fair trade food has become as easy as looking around. The Fairtrade Labeling Organizations International (FLO) have created easily identifiable markers for inspected and certified foods and producers. Everything from sugar and coffee to spices have been adapted by fair trade to make this an obvious option.

What is fair trade food?

Fair trade is a system that ensures the quality of not only the item but the people that produce it. Farmers are rewarded for following the FLO guidelines of growing and harvesting, including ecological safety. The use of harmful chemicals are strictly prohibited in growing and harvesting to ensure the preservation of not only farmers but valuable farmlands. These orchards plantations and fields are based in countries that are still developing their places in the economic world and have no other labor guidelines or protections. The harvested product is bought for a minimum floor rate and shipped to over fifty countries all over the world.

Where are fair trade foods?

Fair trade has become such a powerful force that huge national and international companies have taken it is as part of standard business. Starbucks, which has over 15,000 stores in 44 countries, is the largest buyer of certified fair trade coffee in North America. Ben & Jerry’s Scoop Shops stock their 580 franchise stores with flavors made from fair trade coffees and vanilla.

Although coffee may be the most recognized fair trade food several grocery stores including international giants Wal-Mart and their sister company Sam’s Club offer a wide range of products including; sugar, rice, teas, juice and soft drinks, cereals, wines and beer and ales made with fair trade sugars. The FLO has made fair trade such a notable presence that these products are carried nearly anywhere their competitors are sold.

How to identify fair trade foods.

In 2002 FLO created a logo to be put on fair trade items. This label ensures the buyer that this item has passed all inspections and was grown, harvested and sold with the nature of fair trade in mind. In the case that these items cannot be found fairtradefederation.org has compiled an extensive list of suppliers in the U.S. Likewise, fairtrade.org.uk offers information on finding suppliers and wholesalers in the U.K.

The fair trade presence

Fair trade food accounts for up to twenty percent of sales in their product categories in Europe and the U.S. More than fifty countries are active in producing top quality, safe fair trade items. In 2007 these items saw an increase of forty seven percent in year to year sales, totaling an average of $3.62 billion. Thanks to the standards set forth by FLO and the growing awareness of this industry fair trade food and items are quickly becoming a force for large, factory based companies to be aware of.