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Fair Trade is a people-powered solution to global economic injustice. It is a system of trade based on direct relationships and partnerships between buyers in the global north and producing communities in developing countries.

Fair Trade helps ensure that farmers and artisans throughout the developing world receive a fair price for their products, have direct involvement in the marketplace, and uphold environmental and labor rights standards. The system builds real and lasting relationships between producers in developing countries and businesses and consumers around the world.

Co-op America serves the Fair Trade community as public educators, encouraging people to support Fair Trade while providing them the means to do so. We encourage using your spending power to influence the market and help reshape the global economy to one that works for all people and the planet. Use this site to learn about Fair Trade, its products and producers, and what you can do to make a difference.

What's New...

The Sweet Side of Fair Trade - Read more on Fair Trade Sugar!
A recent edition of Co-op America's Real Money publication features an article outlining the environmental and social benefits of choosing Fair Trade Sugar. Read more on how to put your money in a sustainable and just market.

Fair Trade Alliance E-letter
This month's Fair Trade Alliance E-letter features updates on Fair Trade Ice Cream, Greeting Cards and Wine! Each month Fair Trade Alliance members receive new and exciting updates on the Fair Trade movement, click here to join!

Fair Trade and the Environment
As a sponsor of World Fair Trade Day, Co-op America has designed materials that explain the connection between environmental conservation efforts and Fair Trade products. We are happy to provide this resource in support of this year's WFTD theme, For the People. For the Planet.

Learn about Fair Trade's specific environmental standards and find out about Fair Trade's impact on profiled cooperatives.

Learn about the newest Fair Trade product: Flowers!
Recently TransFair USA increased their Fair Trade certification to include flowers. The flower industry has long been known for unfair labor practices and the use of pesticides and chemicals which harm the people and planet.

Learn about a fair alternative with Fair Trade flowers!