If you've ever been shopping for coffee, you've probably seen a small label on certain brands. It typically reads "Fair Trade Certified." You might have thought it meant nothing because it looks like a lot of the labels that are required by the food and drug administration.
That isn't the case, though! The presence or absence of this small label can tell you a lot about the company you're buying your coffee from.
Fair Trade Certifications are awarded by a nonprofit called Fair Trade USA. They evaluate the production of various brands that produce anything from coffee to sugar to chocolate.
Essentially, a stamp of approval from the organization means that a product is made using environmentally sustainable practices and providing fair wages and working conditions to employees.
There is some debate as to how reliable the organization's evaluation can be, but overall, it is widely accepted as a good way to verify a company's production practices.
There are a few categories for production standards listed on Fair Trade USA's website, but coffee production falls under the agricultural section.
Fair Trade's production standards are divided into six modules for this category.
First, the company must provide a form of empowerment to the individual and the community. Typically, this comes from a financial bonus the non-profit gives businesses to increase wages and give back to the community.
The second and third modules focus on fair treatment and compensation for workers. This basically offers international employees similar protection to what American workers have.
Coming in fourth on the list is the sustainability of production. Essentially, this module looks at how the company accounts for the resources it consumes. Do they replant trees, work to reduce pollution, etc?
The fifth and sixth modules focus on the technical side of things. These modules search for shady business practices and disfunction within the infrastructure of a company.
Through the six modules of evaluation, Fair Trade is able to give a gold star to companies that are doing good for the world. If more people pay attention to the certification, then more sustainable companies with good business practices will be able to thrive in the world economy.
In the end, this means more of the world's workforce will receive fair wages and working conditions. It also reduces the number of companies that are given a free pass to set up shop in a community only to destroy its local resources.
You'll be surprised that most of your big-name coffee brands are not Fair Trade Certified. If you want to contribute to what the certification stands for, then consider switching to one of these delicious brands with Fair Trade's stamp of approval!
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional consultation or advice related to your health or finances. No reference to an identifiable individual or company is intended as an endorsement thereof. Some or all of this article may have been generated using artificial intelligence, and it may contain certain inaccuracies or unreliable information. Readers should not rely on this article for information and should consult with professionals for personal advice.