Last month’s events in Bangladesh – the collapse of a garment factory which killed over 1,100 people and a fire at a nearby garment factory which killed 8 people – have reminded those who support ethical business practices of the disasters that can result when supply chains are too long and relationships are too distant. We’re also reminded of how important it is for companies to build relationships with the people who make their products.

Since these events, a number of news stories and op-eds have suggested that apparel brands and factory owners hold themselves more accountable for prioritizing worker safety and well-being. This is an important step in the right direction.

“While it is good news that large apparel manufacturers are making efforts to address the labor violations of their suppliers,” says Renee Bowers, Executive Director of the Fair Trade Federation, “it is also important to remember that factory audits alone are not enough to address the flaws in current overseas supply chains.”

Fair trade organizations prioritize direct, long term relationships with small scale producers in the developing world. Because of these relationships, craftspeople and farmers who live on the margins of their societies can count on long term stability for themselves and their families.

Shorter supply chains also help overseas workers to escape the market pressures that often lead to forced overtime and unsafe working conditions in factories and larger-scale operations. Maintaining these relationships, even if they are not financially advantageous to companies in the short term, is beneficial to everyone involved in the long term.

Understandably, small-scale production can’t match the volume and speed that is a priority for larger apparel brands. This will continue to be a challenge for the garment industry as consumer consciousness changes. A focus on relationships with producers, though, might require shoppers and retailers alike to place less value on high turnover trend pieces and more value on how brands do business.

“Dedicated fair trade organizations take a different approach,” continues Bowers. “They eliminate layers of middlemen. They also know their suppliers, understand their challenges, and share information that helps keep producer health, safety, and well-being at the forefront of their purchasing decisions.”

At its core, fair trade is about relationships, not simple business transactions.

reposted from FairTradeFederation.org

Renee Bowers, Director

Venture Imports is a company dedicated to providing employment to people in developing countries by providing them with access to North American markets.  They work with artisans from Kenya, Liberia, and Zimbabwe; making sure these producers earn a fair wage in the local context.  Here is an example of how one of their products, glass jewelry beads, are produced.

It is quite a laborious process for the artists to create recycled glass jewelry.   It all starts with Simon gathering glass bottles from local bars.   After the bottles are washed, the labels need to be removed and the bottles broken into little pieces.   The little pieces of glass are then put into a kiln to be heated and formed into colorful shapes which the artists use to create our beautiful bracelets, earrings and necklaces.

Here is a peek at the artists at work:

Step 1:   The bottles are washed and labels are removed.

Step 2:  After the bottles are washed, they are carefully broken into small pieces.   This is Joseph breaking the bottles.

Step 3:    The pieces of glass are put into a kiln to be heated and formed into shapes.  This is Daniel heating the glass.

  Step 4: 

This is Joseph forming the glass into a bead.

Step 5: 

Here is Patrick making a hand-knotted bracelet using the glass beads.

Step 6:

The final product – a beautiful green recycled glass charm on a hand knotted bracelet!

It is quite a laborious process for the artists to create recycled glass jewelry.   It all starts with Simon gathering glass bottles from local bars.   After the bottles are washed, the labels need to be removed and the bottles broken into little pieces.   The little pieces of glass are then put into a kiln to be heated and formed into colorful shapes which the artists use to create our beautiful bracelets, earrings and necklaces.

DePaul’s Big Reveal

On a bitter cold Monday night, the Fair Trade Committee (FTC) lured homework stricken and frozen students with chocolate, hot cocoa and bananas to the Big Reveal Event. This event was FTC’s official announcement of the campaign to the DePaul University community.  Our goal is to become a fair trade university through the criteria set out by Fair Trade USA, similar in some ways to the ones Chicago Fair Trade went through to make Chicago the second largest fair trade city! So far we have one step completely documented: forming a committee. We formed this committee this past fall and have been gaining student support across all majors. It has been really fun to get to know people and learn why there are interested in fair trade. At our first meeting we had students come in and say that there parent works at a fair trade store and there were even some students that said their high schools went through a fair trade campaign! One of the great things about fair trade is that it can capture the interest of the environmentalist, the social activist and the anthropologists, to name a few. 

Next up, we will be documenting all the fair trade items on campus and all the items that could potentially be switched. The food supplier on campus is Chartwells and in the past they have received student’s requests pretty well, such as getting rid of coke and switching their hummus brand. According to the Fair Trade College and University requirements, DePaul has to have at least two fair trade items per serving outlet to count towards our fair trade university status. Luckily, DePaul already is serving fair trade coffee, some tea, sugar and of course Ben & Jerry’s.  At our event we were thrilled to see that most of the students were able to recall this, but we need to pump up the informative side of what it means to have fair trade items. Beyond the advertising of fair trade, we need to make sure that the students are informed about the label. A third step we are currently working is to draft a resolution that will be passed starting with the student body and all the way up to Father Holtschneider. The process of drafting a resolution and passing it through the hands of students, faculty and staff all the way until it reaches the top, will be thrilling and hopefully it will inspire all the various levels of people at DePaul to fire this campaign along! Although this club is new and my graduation is approaching, I hope the FTC can make big strides in reaching our goal. 

If you have any DePaul friends or are willing to help our fellow fair traders please send an email to ftu.depaul@gmail.com

I recently had the opportunity to attend the 2012 Fair Trade Campaigns National Conference Held in Chicago.  This event provided me with plenty of current information on both national and global fair trade initiatives.  Some of the highlights included break-out sessions addressing specific issues such as using social media and strategic planning principles increase the power and spread the reach of our own local fair trade project.  

We also had the opportunity to hear from various guest speakers including both fair trade business owners as well as producers from areas in which fair trade products are sourced.  Chicago is home to three universities; Loyola University Chicago, Depaul University, and Dominican University currently working toward achieving status as a Fair Trade University.  If you would like to know more about Fair Trade Colleges and Universities you can access information and resources by clicking Here.  Additionally, you can access information specific to the 2012 Fair Trade Campaigns Conference Here.  Then under "type" select Fair Trade National Conference.  Through supporting fair trade we support a system that provides workers with adequate wages to support their families as well as giving them a means by which to achieve this with dignity through self-reliance.

Mata Traders is an independent fair trade company from Chicago, IL.  They work with women’s cooperatives in India and Nepal to produce beautiful hand-made clothing and accessories using traditional hand block-print fabrics and natural dyes.  Here, they take you through the process of how their garments are produced.

In June 2006, when Chicago Fair Trade launched with twenty four organizations, we felt like real trailblazers.  There weren’t other fair trade organizations on a town or city level.  There wasn’t a Fair Trade Towns movement in the U.S.   Over the years we’ve seen both CFT and the fair trade movement grow.  CFT has increased to seventy organizations.  The Fair Trade Towns count has reached thirty communities, with many other campaigns in progress.  But as we mature as a movement, as more voices come together, we must also face the challenges that a diversity of perspectives creates.

There is currently a broad discussion of fair trade standards and practices nationally and much debate on how best to achieve the goals of reducing global poverty and sustaining the planet.  A Fair Trade Stakeholders Council has come together to take the conversation beyond certification and engage a broad sector of the fair trade community in discerning the best path for a growing movement: businesses, faith partners, consumers and non profits.  We are grateful to the Fair Trade Resource network for its leadership and regular briefings. To date, the Council has not made recommendations. (Stay informed at www.ftrn.org)

While this discussion continues, CFT will move forward with its mission to educate consumers and increase fair trade businesses in the metro area.  Nationally, we can be guided by the fair trade principles agreed upon by Fair Trade Towns. (found at chicagofairtrade.org)  And as part of an international movement, we have access to relationships with fair trade producers who visit Chicago, allowing us to learn directly about production and workers’ reality from a face to face exchange.   As our members travel to visit producers (as a Board member did this past year) and return to share their account of fair trade banana workers and fair trade apparel production in the Dominican Republic, we can rely on their insights based on personal encounters.  Fair trade offers us these direct relationships.   Though the fair trade certification discussion continues, we can use the fair trade principles and our international partners as a guide. It is our job to create a broad base of questioning consumers who are part of an international effort to secure fair wages and sustainable production everywhere.  Join us!

As summer comes to a close, it is a great time to get away and try something new for this years family getaway!  Instead of dragging your family to the usual end of summer spot, consider upgrading your vacation to a fair trade friendly one.  By exploring alternative travel choices, you can have a unique trip and avoid leaving negative marks on cultures, economies, and the environment, while making a positive impact on the people and places you visit!  We all love to travel to remote, tropical, or exotic destinations. Unfortunately, these are exactly the places we do the most damage as tourists. Dollars of third world nations are devalued. Many of these nations have been plagued with well-intentioned, but largely unfulfilled promises for aid. Alas, in nearly each country there has been more ruin than help. As tourists, we are typically sheltered from these harsh realities. We are oblivious to abysmal living conditions, poverty, poor waste disposal and many other tragic situations.

Check out this great video to learn in under a minute about how you can make a difference by choosing a fair trade vacation. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXqowBA1VZA

Many people become wary of these fair trade vacations because of common myths that just aren't true!

Fair Trade tourism Myths

If you think ecotourism is not for you because you don't have enough money or because it's too difficult for you, think again!

Myth: I have to sacrifice quality and luxury of accommodations.
Reality: Many lodges, hotels, and B&Bs have very high standards for quality and luxury. They bring nature and culture within your reach, while still assuring your level of comfort.

Myth: It's expensive!
Reality: Responsible tours and accommodations come in a range of prices, depending on the level of comfort and convenience you desire.

Myth: It's too complicated!
Reality: The internet makes it easy to plan and book responsible travel. When you arrive at your destination, there are simple steps you can take to make your trip environmentally and socially responsible, and reduce your footprint by saving energy while traveling

Myth: It means traveling to tropical jungles.
Reality: Ecotourism often brings to mind images of exotic tropical locations, but the reality is that ecotourism opportunities can be found in a wide range of destinations, and ecotourism accommodations and tour packages exist on every continent.

Myth: It's for backpackers.
Reality: People of all interests, ages, incomes, and backgrounds can become eco-tourists, and there are plenty of family-friendly options.

This information and more about fair trade vacations can be found at the following websites: https://www.ecotourism.org/,  http://www.fairtradevacations.com/, http://www.responsiblevacation.com/vacation/3551/bangladesh-vacation-fair-trade-tour,  http://www.sustainabletourism.travel/fairtradeintravel.html

Looking for new ways to incorporate fair trade with your recipes?!

Check out this cupcake recipe or by clicking here for additional fair trade recipes!

Chocolate Covered Cherry Cupcakes

These tasty, not-too-sweet cupcakes are best eaten the same day or the next day. This recipe makes 18 cupcakes.

Ingredients

1 (14.5 oz) can organic tart cherries in water (do not drain)

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 stick of butter, melted and slightly cooled

3/4 cup organic Fair Trade Certified sugar

1/2 cup milk

2 large eggs

1/2 teaspoon Fair Trade Certified vanilla extract

Dark Chocolate Glaze:

3 tablespoons butter

3 tablespoons organic Fair Trade Certified sugar

3 tablespoons packed organic Fair Trade Certified brown sugar

3 tablespoons milk

1 (3.5 oz) bar Fair Trade Certified dark chocolate, broken

Directions

Preheat oven to 375°F

Puree cherries and their liquid in a blender until smooth. Measure out one cup of puree and set aside. Refrigerate or freeze any left over puree to use later in smoothies or to make a quick sorbet.

Line two muffin pans with 18 cupcake liners.

In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Mix well and set aside.

In another large bowl, mix butter and sugar together, then add puree, milk, eggs and vanilla. Mix well.

Add dry ingredients to bowl with wet ingredients and stir until just combined (do not over mix).

Divide batter among the lined muffin cups.

Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center of cupcake comes out clean.

Cool a couple of minutes in pan, then move to a wire rack to cool completely.

When cupcakes are cool, make chocolate glaze:

In a small saucepan, over medium heat, bring butter, sugars and milk to a boil, stirring often. Let boil for one minute. Remove from heat and stir in chocolate pieces. Stir until fully mixed and smooth.

Using a spreader, immediately frost cupcakes with a thin but opaque layer of the glaze.

This recipe was orignially found at fairtradeusa.org

First Lady Michelle Obama, has gradually begun to turn the White house into a fair trade home since their arrival.  She has not only added an organic produce garden to the white house south lawn, but also pushed to serve only organic food in the dining room, had a local/fair trade farmers market moved toward the executive grounds and added a colony of bees near the presidential home that provides the family with plenty of honey. 

Additional pushes are now being made to increase the amount of fair trade items being used in and around the white house, including fair trade foods and clothing.  When someone like Michelle Obama makes a change at the white house, people take notice. By gradually turning the White House into a fair trade home, Mrs. Obama can encourage families throughout the country to include fair trade buying habits into their everyday lifestyle     

President Obama has been pushing his own version of fair trade as he travels the country during his up and coming campaign season.  President Obama continues to advocate for fair trade practices at home and abroad.  As he stated in Toledo, Ohio, this past week, "Americans and American workers build better products than anybody else. So as long as we're competing on a fair playing field instead of an unfair playing field, we'll do just fine."

Obama has also focused much of his fair trade advocacy on unfair practices going on in Chinese manufacturing.  While he is ultimately concerned with making the US competitive in a global economy, he recognizes that fair trade practices involving Chinese workers are frequently not up to international fair trade standards.  When addressing this issue Obama stated that he, “Created a Trade Enforcement Unit to aggressively investigate any unfair trade practices taking place anywhere in the world. And as they ramp up their efforts, our competitors should be on notice: You will not get away with skirting the rules. When we can, we will rally support from our allies. And when it makes sense to act on our own, we will.”