Are you starting to notice this seal more and more? The Fair Trade Certified Seal?

In reading their website Fair Trade Certified is very similar to a host of non profit organizations around the world who help those in poverty not only to make a living but a future for their families and communities. One that we hold near and dear to our hearts, personally, is Miracle Power in Kenya. They house orphans and widows all while providing the children with an education and teaching the widows a skill, which provides them with income. Not only are their goods sold in Kenya, but they are brought back to the states and sold locally in our home town. I could go on and on how the Lord continues to work between our home town and Kenya. What continues to happen is amazing!

Back to this seal…What is this seal all about? Per fairtradeusa.org it is stated that:

Fair Trade Certified™ products were made with respect to people and planet. Our rigorous social, environmental and economic standards work to promote safe, healthy working conditions, protect the environment, enable transparency, and empower communities to build strong, thriving businesses. When you choose products with the Fair Trade label, your day-to-day purchases can improve an entire community’s day-to-day lives.

Isn’t this wonderful! Fair Trade is improving the lives of thousands all over the world. While changing lives it is helping farmers implement environmentally sustainable practices. Which in return the world as a whole benefits from.

Here is what Fair Trade does…

-Coops are created and farmers are able to deal directly with the market buyers and get paid a living wage. Part of their earnings are reinvested and therefore makes a difference in their community.

-Fair Trade empowers women. Women that are hired through Fair Trade market farmers are guaranteed health care, certain job rights and freedom from harassment. This provides for a much better future for the women and their families.

-Fair Trade revenues are helping keep the farmers children out of the fields and in school. It helps provide funds for their schooling. Fair Trade revenue generated by the US market have helped to build schools in some of the most remote areas of the world.

-One of the standards the Fair Trade coop provides is access to health care and proper nutrition in order to keep the farmers and their families healthy.

Not only does Fair Trade Market do all the above but their values speak loudly! Pulled from their website, here are their values…

Empowerment: We believe in empowerment and freedom of choice as means to a better world.

Integrity: We strive to always act ethically and we value relationships built on honesty, mutual respect and trust.

Sustainability: We engage in sustainable solutions to global problems that affect the earth and its people.

Innovation: We transform the world through entrepreneurial creativity and lead by example.

Excellence: We believe that quality of life, work and performance are critical to achieve our mission.

Personal Development: Strong organizations rely on strong individuals. We encourage and support each other to realize our fullest potential, and will thereby strengthen our internal community.

Community: We value our global and internal communities’ diversity of perspectives, and know that each may hold a piece of the solution. We collaborate and partner for mutual success.

Fairness: We work to create opportunities and extend the benefits of globalization to all people, everywhere.

Impact: We build positive solutions that achieve meaningful social and environmental change in the world.

Fairtrade Market Certified products can range from coffee to wine.

Fairtrade Market Certified partners are growing as well. From Trader Joe’s (just another reason to Love TJ’s) to Dr. Mercola’s products (just another reason to Love him as well…oh and if you do not follow him on social media or get his emails. You should. Check him out!

I am truly excited about this seal and I believe we will be seeing more and more of it. Especially if we spread the word. Share this post on your social media outlets to make more peeps aware. (If you want to of course)

Much Love,

Jennie