Fair Trade is an economic system that provides opportunities for farmers, workers and artisans to lift themselves out of poverty. It gives assurances to consumers that producers are paid fair prices for their products and labor, care for the environment, and are able to provide for their communities.
The Basic principles of Fair Trade are:
*Long-term trading relationships
*Prompt payment of fair prices and wages to producers
*No child, forced or otherwise exploited labor
*Workplace non-discrimination, gender equity and freedom of association
*Safe working conditions and reasonable work hours
*Investment in community development projects
*Environmental sustainability
*Traceability and transparency
Communities play a crucial role in growing the Fair Trade Movement in the United States. Fair Trade Town campaigns bring together community members, retailers, community organizations and town government to build awareness of Fair Trade and achieve special recognition for their efforts. The “Fair Trade Town” designation provides a permanent platform for continued outreach and learning to build the Fair Trade Movement and deepen each community’s commitment to international justice.
As part of a global movement, there are now more than 1,000 Fair Trade Towns worldwide and the movement has spread rapidly across the U.S. Working with both the “grassroots” and “grasstops,” Fair Trade Towns USA provides tools and resources to help towns and cities achieve Fair Trade Status and work towards the common goal of making Fair Trade products the norm in the U.S., one community at a time.
Fond du Lac was designated a Fair Trade Town in 2013, the 32nd Fair Trade Town in the U.S! You can visit our Fair Trade Town Campaign page HERE!
For more information about the Fair Trade Towns campaign click HERE!
